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Soegeng Rahardjo, the ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to China delivered a keynote speech at the 2nd ASEAN development forum.
Soegeng Rahardjo, the ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to China delivered a keynote speech at the 2nd ASEAN development forum which is held by the Asia Pacific Daily in Hong Kong on Dec 14th.
With the theme of "Connectivity through interactions between regions, industries and civil societies", the complete speech is as following:
Honorable Mr. Ju Mengjun, Director of Xinhua News Agency Asia Pacific Bureau and Asia-Pacific Daily ,
Your Excellency Mr. Xu Bu, Chinese Ambassador to ASEAN,
Your Excellency Minister Arief Yahya,
Esteemed officials and guests from China and other countries,
Ladies and gentlemen,
First and foremost, I would like to thank Xinhua News Agency Asia Pacific Bureau for kindly inviting me to attend today's event.
Indeed, I am pleased to be here. It is always a treat to visit Hongkong, and I am honored to have this opportunity to speak in front of such an important forum.
Last year, I was unable to attend the same forum because of conflicting schedules. Therefore, I am glad that I can be with all of you today, and share my perspective on the One Belt One Road initiative.
I look forward to listening to your views, and engage in a productive discussion on how to move forward with enhancing connectivity in Southeast Asia through a mutually beneficial partnership with China.
Esteemed guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Over the years, the ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership has boosted both sides’ economic and social development as well as contributed generously towards regional peace, stability, and prosperity.
We have all witnessed the rapid growth of ASEAN-China economic cooperation, especially since the establishment of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area. China now stands as ASEAN’s biggest trading partner, while ASEAN has become China’s third largest trading partner.
ASEAN and China have stood side-by-side in the face of regional and international crises. We have helped each other tackle natural disasters and epidemics. We have supported one another through difficult economic and financial conditions. We have also strengthened our cooperation in fighting trans-border crimes, terrorism, and other forms of non-traditional security threats.
All of this would be unimaginable a few decades ago, when the Asia-Pacific region was dictated by the bipolar politics of the Cold War. Indeed, things have changed.
However, we must also recognize that our regional landscape remains highlighted by uncertainties. That is why we must continue to expand and solidify ASEAN-China cooperation, especially through concrete programs that directly benefit our peoples.
In this regard, I would like to highlight the need to strengthen ASEAN-China cooperation through building connectivity in the region.
For long, ASEAN has attributed significance on building connectivity, both within Southeast Asia between our sub-region and the rest of the Asia-Pacific. In 2010, ASEAN adopted the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity, which aimed to bolster physical, institutional and people-to-people connectivity. It identified various projects to transform the ASEAN region, providing the conditions conducive for a single market and production base.
However, achieving such goals has not been simple. It has required mobilizing tremendous resources and technical assistance. It has also needed partnerships with ASEAN Dialogue Partners, multilateral development banks, international organizations, and others.
And, as an active ASEAN Dialogue Partner, China has demonstrated an eagerness to contribute towards strengthening connectivity in the region.
Esteemed guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
During a visit to Indonesia in 2013, President Xi Jinping proposed the development of a 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, which would become part of the One Belt One Road initiative.
I believe that at the heart of this initiative is the goal to establish greater connectivity in the Asia-Pacific and beyond. And because of Southeast Asia's strategic geographic location, it is not difficult to see that ASEAN plays an important role in implementing this initiative.
Connectivity provides the basis for better flow of goods, people, capital and services. Greater connectivity would help accelerate balanced and inclusive growth. It would also connect the region's growth poles, enhance transportation networks, reduce transaction costs, and make the Asia-Pacific more competitive and cohesive.
Furthermore, these connections would not only be physical and institutional, but also in the minds of our peoples.
For ASEAN, greater connectivity would help reduce the economic gap existing among ASEAN member countries and enhance ASEAN’s competitiveness. This would help sustain ASEAN centrality in a tougher global competition.
As an archipelagic state, and located at the cross-roads of the world's most active sea lanes, connectivity is important for Indonesia's economic development. President Joko Widodo, has proposed Indonesia's development as a "Global Maritime Fulcrum", an axis on which global maritime cooperation pivots.
Such efforts would begin by building up Indonesia's maritime infrastructure and transportation facilities. This would then be followed by strengthening Indonesia's production capacities across the archipelago.
We are looking to enhance the capacity of 24 seaports. We will also build and renovate airports, particularly in the eastern parts of Indonesia. As well, increasing productivity is expected take place as new growth centers, such as industrial parks and special economic zones, are built.
There is tremendous potential for synergy between the visions of President Joko Widodo and President Xi Jinping. China's interest in developing greater maritime connectivity is happening at the same time as renewed Indonesian interests in redefining its maritime status. This conversion of visions provides opportunities for cooperation not only in maritime transportation, but also infrastructure development, energy, and manufacturing.
Between 2013 and 2014, Chinese FDI in Indonesia increased 169%. As Chinese companies become more involved in future connectivity infrastructure projects, there is tremendous confidence that both Indonesia and China would benefit from such a synergy. The agreement to built high-speed railway between Jakarta and Bandung is exemplary of this potential.
At the same time, it would be naive to believe that the ASEAN-China partnership in connectivity would be without its challenges. For one, there is immense diversity in rules and regulations governing connectivity matters among the ten ASEAN member countries, let alone between ASEAN and China. It is important for China and ASEAN Member Countries to proceed with peaceful dialogues, and seek solutions based on international law.
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
The Chinese people, as mentioned by President Xi Jinping, have a "Chinese Dream". That dream is to live in a peaceful, stable, and prosperous country, surrounded by friendly neighbours. I believe that such a dream is not exclusive to the Chinese. We in Southeast Asia also strive to achieve a similar dream.
As ASEAN and China become more connected, the more we shall realize that we are all united by a common dream. A dream that can only be achieved through cooperation, and not through competition.
We are living in an evolving era when many of the achievements of Asian countries have captured the imagination of the world. Nevertheless, we must not be complacent.
We should take targeted measures to support economic growth, stability and resilience in the Asia-Pacific. We must also take decisive actions to reinforce confidence and strengthen the region's growth potential.
There are challenges ahead of us. But our leaders have built a strong framework and a conducive climate for more intensive ASEAN-China cooperation. What we must do now is to translate these conditions into concrete programs that are beneficial to our peoples.
I will quote Confucius on this, when the Master said: "If you want to go fast, you should go alone, but if you want to go far, you should go together".
Thank you.
