Former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has asserted that China and the US, the two most influential countries in the Asia-Pacific, must be able to restrain themselves to safeguard and maintain peace and stability in the region
ormer president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has asserted that China and the US, the two most influential countries in the Asia-Pacific, must be able to restrain themselves to safeguard and maintain peace and stability in the region.
'I hope China and the US can restrain themselves to avoid a miscalculation that can trigger tensions and conflicts in the region,' the former president said as quoted by Antara in Beijing, on Monday, before he flew back to Indonesia.
Yudhoyono further said: 'Even if all disputes cannot be completely resolved, the two parties must implement a maximum restraint principle, in which both of them can exercise self-control and uphold the spirit of dialogue, cooperation and partnership.'
The sixth Indonesian president was in Beijing as an honorary speaker at the fourth World Peace Forum, which ran from June 27 to 28. A number of former high ranking officials from several countries and international security analysts and experts attended the forum.
Yudhoyono said it could not be denied that China and the US were two big players in the Asia-Pacific.
'China has become the second largest economic power in the world, supported by its strong, big and modern military force. On the other side, with its strong and large resources, the US has long played its role and influence, both in the field of economics and the military, in the Asia-Pacific,' he said.
Yudhoyono said it was expected that the dynamics of China and US relations could avoid crisis and conflict in the Asia-Pacific, bringing them to a 21st century partnership that was based on equality and mutual respect. (ebf)(++++)
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