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Synergy between ASEAN, China badly needed: Jokowi
Indonesia backs greater synergy with China's infrastructure push in Southeast Asia, just as the United States downgraded its delegation to the ASEAN Summit proceedings in Bangkok, Thailand.
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President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo during the 14th East Asia Summit in Bangkok on Monday, on the sidelines of the 35th ASEAN Summit. (Presidential Press Bureau/Rusman)
P
resident Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has insisted that ASEAN’s development road map should dovetail with China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), as Jakarta doubles down on inclusive partnerships by hosting the seminal Indo-Pacific Infrastructure and Connectivity Forum next year.
Jokowi argued for the necessity of inviting China to the negotiating table as Southeast Asian leaders gathered in Thailand for the ASEAN Summit and related meetings, raising issues like Indo-Pacific infrastructure development in the absence of a high-level United States delegation.
He said synergy between the BRI and ASEAN’s own Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025 should be encouraged given that the organization was looking for concrete cooperation initiatives in a region where the rivaling superpowers continued to vie for influence.
"The development of connectivity and infrastructure is very important to ensure economic growth, including the development of new growth centers in the Indo-Pacific region," Jokowi said at the ASEAN-China Summit on Sunday, according to official statements circulated Monday.
“Collaboration to build connectivity and infrastructure between ASEAN and China is urgently needed.”
The remarks of the leader of Southeast Asia’s largest economy come as a blow to the US, which has done little to assuage concerns that its own leader has his mind on other issues. President Donald Trump snubbed the Bangkok meetings against the backdrop of an escalating impeachment inquiry and a challenging 2020 election battle, even though his envoy insisted the mercurial leader was still “extremely engaged” with Asia.
The US Department of State published on Monday “A Free and Open Indo-Pacific: Advancing a Shared Vision” — a shopping list of activities and pledges that “describes our engagement in the Indo-Pacific” and “highlights tangible resources directed to the region”.
