Jakarta, July 15 — In a cordial meeting at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Minister Sugiono engaged in discussions with Chinese Ambassador to ASEAN H.E. Hou Yanqi on various follow-up actions stemming from the recent ASEAN-China Post-Ministerial Conference (PMC) held in Kuala Lumpur last week.
The conversation centered around strengthening synergy between ASEAN and China to foster a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region. “The ASEAN-China partnership is one of the main pillars in maintaining regional stability and economic growth,” emphasized Foreign Minister Sugiono. Indonesia supports concrete collaborations aimed at providing tangible benefits to the ASEAN community.
Both parties touched upon several key initiatives, including the implementation plan for the ASEAN–China Plan of Action 2026–2030, plans to sign ACFTA 3.0 at the upcoming ASEAN-China Summit in October, and regional cooperation under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
H.E. Hou Yanqi pledged China’s continued commitment to promoting inclusive regional economic integration and exploring new areas for cooperation. Foreign Minister Sugiono expressed appreciation for China’s commitment to sign the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Protocol without reservation.
This move is seen as a significant contribution to efforts aimed at maintaining long-term peace and stability in the Southeast Asian region. The partnership between ASEAN and China has been marked by significant progress, including China being recorded as ASEAN’s largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years since 2021.
The strong ties between Indonesia and China underscore the importance of regional cooperation in fostering economic growth, peace, and stability. As diplomatic efforts continue to strengthen these alliances, it is likely that the Southeast Asian region will remain a key focus for international relations.
Key Takeaways:
- The ASEAN-China partnership plays a crucial role in maintaining regional stability and economic growth.
- Concrete collaborations between ASEAN and China aim to provide tangible benefits to the ASEAN community.
- China has pledged its continued commitment to promoting inclusive regional economic integration.
The ongoing diplomatic efforts highlight the significance of strengthening ties between major players in regional cooperation, underscoring the potential for a more peaceful, stable, and prosperous Southeast Asia.