The event featured an exhibition of 20 photographs showcasing the partnership between the ASEAN and China since the relations were established 25 years ago.
A photograph of Indonesia's second President Soeharto receiving a courtesy call from Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of China Qian Qichen at the ASEAN Regional Forum in Jakarta on July 22, 1996, was also on display at the exhibition.
Among the exhibits was the photograph of Indonesia's fifth President Megawati Soekarnoputri shaking hands with Chinese President Hu Jintao at the declaration of the ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership for peace and prosperity during the 7th ASEAN-China Summit in Bali in October 2008.
The joint commitment of the ASEAN and China to further improve relations and cooperation has been strengthened with the establishment of an ASEAN-China Center.
President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries Li Xiaolin in his speech said the ASEAN and China had agreed to become dialog partners in 1991. The relations between the two parties grew stronger with the passage of time based on mutual respect in the spirit of togetherness and positive synergy.
"In the political field, ASEAN and China have both demonstrated maturity characterized by the exchange of visits between high-ranking officials and intense dialog conducted at multiple levels and cooperation sectors, among other things," she pointed out.
In the economic field, ASEAN and China have also shown rapid development. Moreover, ASEAN and China have established a Free Trade Area (FTA), which is the largest form of cooperation among developing countries.
"ASEAN and China had also agreed to increase the commitment on the FTA, thus the results have been gained. Over the past 25 years, the trading volume between both sides increased by 60 percent, or some US$8 billion in 1991 to $472.2 billion in 2015," she remarked.
Meanwhile, relations built through people-to-people contacts, student exchange programs, and tourist visits between the ASEAN and China have also increased. It is expected that the achievements, relationship, and cooperation between ASEAN and China will show further progress.
The 25th commemoration of the ASEAN-China dialog partnership was attended by Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin, State Councilor Yang Jiechi, Chairman of the ASEAN Committee in Beijing Ambassador Magdalene Teo, and several ambassadors of ASEAN countries, including Indonesia's Ambassador to China and Mongolia Soegeng Rahardjo. (WDY)
: I Gusti Bagus Widyantara
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