China praises ASEAN role in global growth

Premier hails rapid development of bilateral relations with Indonesia

Premier Li Qiang highlighted on Tuesday China's support for the central position of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in regional cooperation, saying that China is willing to work with all parties to make East Asia an important engine for global development.

Li made the remarks in a written speech after his arrival in Jakarta, Indonesia, on an official visit. He will attend the 26th China-ASEAN (10+1) leaders' meeting, the 26th ASEAN-China, Japan and Republic of Korea (10+3) leaders' meeting and the 18th East Asia Summit during his stay.

He emphasized that Beijing firmly supports ASEAN in playing a greater role in international affairs.

China is ready to exchange views with all parties on major issues concerning regional cooperation, strengthening unity, sharing development opportunities, and addressing challenges, Li said.

The premier spoke highly of the development of ties between China and Indonesia, saying that in recent years, under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and Indonesian President Joko Widodo, bilateral relations have developed rapidly, setting an example for developing countries to unite, cooperate and develop together.

China is willing to work with Indonesia to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and build a closer China-Indonesia community with a shared future, he said.

Li underlined the need for both countries to promote synergy and mutual support on their paths to modernization through high-level, strategic cooperation, and inject stability and impetus into international and regional cooperation.

This is Li's first visit to an Asian country since he became Chinese premier in March, and also coincides with the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Indonesia. Li will hold talks with Widodo and participate in the Indonesia Sustainability Forum during his stay.

Addressing a welcoming reception hosted by the China-Indonesia business community, Li said that he is coming for development, peace, friendship and cooperation.

Noting that the development of bilateral relations serves as a guiding example for regional prosperity and stability, the premier said that over the years, China-Indonesia cooperation has transcended the bilateral scope and now enjoys broad consensus and common interests at both regional and global levels.

"As emerging nations, we both have a strong desire for national rejuvenation and are committed to upholding regional openness, inclusiveness, harmony and stability. We both oppose protectionism and external interference," he said.

Li said that China and Indonesia have immense opportunities for high-quality cooperation. He called on the two countries to seize the opportunities created by the new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation to expand collaboration in the digital economy, biomedicine and artificial intelligence.

Li emphasized that opening-up is China's fundamental national policy, which will remain unchanged. The Chinese government will steadily expand institutional opening-up in terms of rules, regulations, management and standards, further relax market access in select sectors, enhance intellectual property right protection, and build a market-oriented, law-based and world-class business environment, he added.

"We also hope that Indonesia can maintain an open market and provide a fair and equitable business environment for Chinese enterprises," Li said.