Opening the 26th ASEAN-China Summit, Jokowi Promotes Mutually Beneficial

September 06, 2023, 10.38 AM | Reporter: Vendy Yhulia Susanto

ILUSTRASI. The President of Indonesia (sixth left) takes group photo with the Premier of the People?s Republic of China Li Qiang (fifth left) and (from left) the President of the Philippines Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr., the Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong, the Head of Delegation of The Kingdom of Thailand Sarun Charoensuwan, the Prime Minister of Viet Nam Pham Minh Chinh, the Prime Minister of Lao PDR Sonexay Siphandone, the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam Hassanal Bolkiah, the Prime Minister of Cambodia Hun Manet, the Prime Minister of Malaysia Dato? Seri Anwar Ibrahim, and the Prime Minister of Timor Leste Xanana Gusmao before the 26th ASEAN-China in Jakarta, Wednesday (6/9/2023). Media Center of The ASEAN Summit 2023/Zabur Karuru/aww/mifta. *** Local Caption *** Presiden Joko Widodo (keenam kiri) berfoto bersama Premier of the People?s Republic of China Li Qiang (kelima kiri) dan (dari kiri) Presiden Filipina Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr, Perdana Menteri Singapura Lee Hsien Loong, Head of Delegation Thailand Sarun Charoensuwan, Perdana Menteri Vietnam Pham Minh Chinh, Perdana Menteri Laos Sonexay Siphandone, Sultan Brunei Darussalam Hassanal Bolkiah, Perdana Menteri Kamboja Hun Manet, Perdana Menteri Malaysia Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim, dan Perdana Menteri Timor Leste Xanana Gusmao sebelum KTT ke-26 ASEAN-China di Jakarta, Rabu (6/9/2023). Media Center KTT ASEAN 2023/Zabur Karuru/aww.

ASEAN SUMMIT 2023 - JAKARTA. President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) officially opened the 26th ASEAN-People's Republic of China Summit. In his opening remarks, President Jokowi stated that China is one of the four ASEAN dialogue partners with comprehensive strategic partner status. This year marks the 20th anniversary of China's accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC).

Jokowi mentioned that ASEAN-China needs to give meaning to all of this by realizing concrete cooperation that is mutually beneficial. This can only be done if there is trust between each other, which of course must be built and maintained by all parties.

"Trust and concrete cooperation are what can become a positive effort for the stability and peace of the region. And with this, I declare the 26th ASEAN and China Summit open," said Jokowi at the Jakarta Convention Center, Wednesday (6/9).

Meanwhile, Chinese Prime Minister (PM) Li Qiang in his opening speech stated that President Xi Jinping wants to build closer ASEAN-China community relations in the future.

Moreover, China is the second largest economic power in the world and the ASEAN's gross domestic product (GDP) is the fifth largest in the world.

26th ASEAN-China Summit

For information, China - ASEAN's largest trading partner. Conversely, ASEAN is China's largest trading partner. Their trade reached US$ 975 billion. China is also the fourth largest source of foreign investment for ASEAN, with a value of US$ 13.8 billion in 2021.

This year, their relationship marked an important milestone, namely the completion of the Guide to Accelerate the Negotiation of the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea that is effective and substantive, the completion of the second reading of the single draft negotiation COC. As well as the 20th anniversary of China's accession to the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation (TAC).

"This achievement must continue to build positive momentum to strengthen partnerships that advance the paradigm of inclusivity and openness, respect international law including UNCLOS 1982, and encourage the habit of dialogue and collaboration," said Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi.