KONTAN.CO.ID - 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).

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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. 

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.

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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.

Editor: Syamsul Azhar