Editorial

Premier Li Keqiang’s ongoing visit to Indonesia is his first international trip after China’s new Cabinet took office in March. It will help cement the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Indonesia. It will also contribute to the healthy development of China’s ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

An important emerging economy and the largest among the ASEAN members, Indonesia has always held a special niche in China’s peripheral diplomacy. As Li pointed out in an article published in The Jakarta Post on Saturday, there is strong synergy between the two countries’ respective development initiatives. With China’s 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and Indonesia’s goal of being a global maritime fulcrum dovetailing nicely.

The efforts of the two countries to align their development strategies will no doubt increase mutual trust. This in turn will have a positive impact on China’s relationship with ASEAN. This year marks the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the China-ASEAN strategic partnership. The two sides are now drawing a blueprint for their common development and a shared future.

Despite the profound changes in the international and regional arenas, China-ASEAN relations have withstood the tests of the times. Two-way trade continues to bring real benefits to the two sides under the framework of China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement. And frequent people-to-people exchanges are forging greater understanding.

Last year, China and ASEAN adopted the framework on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. This marks significant progress in the two sides’ efforts to put the maritime disputes back on the track of dialogue and negotiations.

Thanks to their mutual efforts, the situation in the South China Sea has remarkably stabilized. The current positive trajectory of the South China Sea issues proves China and ASEAN are fully capable of handling the issues themselves.

The escalation of the maritime disputes in recent years shows outside interference in regional affairs should always be opposed. After all, regional development and stability cannot be endowed by others; it can only be achieved through the mutual efforts of countries in the region.

Developing a joint vision and pushing for greater synergy between their development strategies promises bright prospects for China-ASEAN relations. And, by forging robust cooperation in an all-around way, China and ASEAN can build a community of shared future in the region.