Indonesia Wants Balance and No Dominance in the Region
JAKARTA - Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono said Indonesia wanted balance and no domination by anyone in the region, calling the presence of the United States and China in Southeast Asia important.
This was said by Foreign Minister Sugiono to reporters on the sidelines of the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting, Post-Ministerial Conferences, and Related Meetings (AMM/PMC 59) in Manila, Philippines, Wednesday (22/7).
"We convey that the presence of the two in this region is something important," said the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
On the other hand, Foreign Minister Sugiono said Indonesia said it wanted a balance, as did other countries which he said conveyed a similar tone, considering national interests.
"For Indonesia, we want there to be a balance. We don't want there to be domination by anyone. Why? Because we have national interests that can only be delivered if there is a balance that leads to stability," explained Foreign Minister Sugiono.
"The Uncle Sam's country said they would not mortgage anything to remain in this region, remain in this region, work together mutually beneficial with countries in ASEAN," said the Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Meanwhile, China itself "of course we also know, they are a very influential economic power in ASEAN."
"So yes, we need the presence of both of them, we need it, and we hope for interaction with the centrality of ASEAN. (9:01) Both of them can, what, can both participate in the rhythm and coolness of ASEAN," explained the Indonesian Foreign Minister.
It is known that the ASEAN-United States Partnership, which has been established since 1977, will enter the 50-year milestone in 2027. Both parties have also increased the status of the cooperation relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership since 2022.
As one of the largest investors and main trading partners of ASEAN, the ASEAN-US partnership should focus on more concrete economic cooperation. The Uncle Sam country is the second largest trading partner and foreign investment source for ASEAN, with total trade reaching 552.8 US dollars and investments of 28.56 billion US dollars in 2025.
Meanwhile, the ASEAN-China Partnership for Dialogue this year enters its 35th year, while the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership this year is five years old. ASEAN trade value with the Bamboo Curtain State in 2024 reached 772.4 billion US dollars or around Rp. 13,838,318,400,000,000.
"The strength of the region's economy is not only measured by the value of trade, but also by the extent to which the benefits reach people and businesses outside the growth centers," said Foreign Minister Sugiono at the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference (PMC) with China which was attended by Foreign Minister Wang Yi.