Asean Summit: Jokowi, Anwar tell China to foster trust, respect international law

JAKARTA – The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) today told China in no uncertain terms that it is important to nurture trust for mutual benefit, and one vital way of doing so is by respecting international law.

Speaking at the 26th Asean-China Summit here, President Joko Widodo of Indonesia, the current chair of Asean, said such a commitment is imperative to ensure peace and stability in the region.

His view was backed by Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who said that future collaborations would depend largely on trust and discussions related to security for all sides.

The meeting at the Jakarta Convention Centre here was held this morning as part of the larger 43rd Asean Summit which began last Monday and concludes tomorrow.

Present at the meeting were Chinese Premier Li Qiang and leaders of Asean member nations.

Jokowi reminded Li and the others that China is one of four dialogue partners of Asean with “comprehensive strategic partner” status. The others are Australia, India and the US.

He also stressed that this year marks the 20th anniversary of China's accession to the regional bloc’s Treaty of Amity and Cooperation.

”We should give meaning to all these by realising concrete cooperation that is mutually profitable,” said Jokowi.

“This can only be done if we have trust in each other, which of course needs to be developed and maintained by all parties.

”...one of them is by respecting international law.”

He emphasised that the form of trust and concrete cooperation can be a positive force for stability and regional peace.

Trust in terms of security needed, says Anwar

Anwar said that the Asean members consider China a “good neighbour and great friend” in terms of trade, investment and security arrangements.

“Of course, we look forward to enhancing these relations, and that should begin with the Asean China Free Trade Agreement 3.0,” he said.

The enhancement of ties with China is related to issues like food security and digital transformation, he added.

“And, as I relayed to you earlier, Premier Li Qiang, we take a strong independent stance as far as protecting our country and interest of the region (is concerned),” Anwar stressed.

“I would certainly stress, Mr Chairman (Jokowi) and Premier Li Qiang, that future collaboration would depend largely depend on issue of trust, discussions, at multilateral level, in terms of security for both China and Asean.

Anwar added that the Asean-China Technical Cooperative Agreement should be able to further identify new areas for collaborative programmes.

He also expressed appreciation for Li’s presence at the summit.

Earlier Jokowi and Li participated in the signing of the Technical Cooperation Agreement between Asean and China.

China recently published the China Standard Map Edition 2023, whose boundaries encroach on maritime areas of a few Southeast Asian nations, including Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines, as well as territories of India.

On its part, Malaysia had asserted that it does not recognise China’s claims in the South China Sea and that it would send a protest note to Beijing. – The Vibes, September 6, 2023