RI, Japan see Asia move closer to democracy

Counterparts: President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (right) talks with Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama (left) during a bilateral meeting in Nusa Dua, Bali, Thursday. Both leaders are in Bali to co-chair the Bali Democracy Forum, attended by representatives of 36 countries. Antara/Nyoman Budhiana

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama expressed Thursday their optimism that Asia, the world's most dynamic region, is becoming more democratic.

Hatoyama told representatives of 36 Asian countries attending Indonesia's  Bali Democracy Forum II on the resort island that Asia had charted a unique course in making its transition to democracy.

"China," he said, "has been undergoing an economic and social transformation to open itself to Asia and the wider world."

"There is great expectation that China will continue to make progress, as a responsible power, on the issues of democracy and human rights, along with other issues."  

Hatoyama said he also saw "positive developments" in Myanmar, with the US taking a new approach by engaging rather  than confronting the junta government there.

The only contentious issue was North Korea, according to the prime minister. "It is regrettable that there stills remain deep-seated distrust and confrontation in Northeast Asia."

He called on Pyonyang to follow the democratic trend "underway elsewhere in Asia and throughout the world."  

China and Myanmar sent their delegation to the two-day meeting, which Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said in his opening remarks would maintain its inclusiveness.

Yudhoyono said the growing interests from Asian countries in  the second Bali meeting as reflected by the rising number of participating countries, from 32 last year to 36, was encouraging.

"This is all a good sign for the future of democracy in Asia," the president said.