China: Asian Values Need To Be Guarded For The Rate Of Regional Development

Liu Jianchao: Asia's Future and 75 Years of Indonesia "China Ties" held by FPCI and the Chinese Embassy in Jakarta on January 18, 2025. (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Countries in Asia need to maintain values to continue the pace of development that has been achieved in the region, a top Chinese official said.

This was emphasized by the Minister of the Department of International Relations of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (IDCPC) Liu Jianchao in a public discussion 'In Conversation with HER: Asia's Future and 75 Years of Indonesia' China Ties' in Jakarta on Saturday.

Liu highlighted the importance of unique Asian values that were able to realize the dreams of the Asian Century come true.

"In the spirit of the Bandung Conference, Asia must remain independent and maintain values of mutual respect in order to stay on this path," he said, referring to the Asia-Africa Conference held in Bandung in 1955.

Liu considered that in the midst of global challenges in 2024, people in the Asian region were more fortunate than other regions. Since World War II ended, Asia has remained peaceful, stable, and has moved towards prosperity through hard work.

Asian society, he said, has also found development routes based on Asian values, namely independence, freedom, equality, consensus, openness, and inclusiveness.

"Thanks to this, we are gradually turning the Asian Century's dreams into reality," he said. "In a world full of turmoil, which is full of instability and uncertainty, we must remain on this path, remaining in Asia's way."

Liu emphasized that the values of Asia also refer to the values that have been achieved by nations in the Southeast Asia region.

"And I'm not wrong when saying that (Northeast Asia) is not so different from Southeast Asia, because I believe in Northeastern Asia as a whole, having a lot of the same values," he said.

"However, I think, all these values are basically adhered to by the international community, and we believe there are equal values around the world," Liu said.

The unique thing about Asian values, according to him, is the spirit of seeking consensus through consultation, the spirit of peace, and harmony.

"I'm not saying it's not African means and values or other regions, but priority, the most distinctive (of Asian values) is that," he said.

Liu also responded to concerns over Indonesia's membership in BRICS, a group of 10 countries with major economies, including China, India, and Russia.

He said that Indonesia is the leading country in ASEAN and one of the largest countries with the most population.

"More importantly, all BRICS member countries are very willing to cooperate with Indonesia," said Liu, asserting.

He also discussed relations between China and the US by highlighting that the challenges in the relationship are rooted in a US misconception over China's growth.

China doesn't always grow up in the way the US likes, Liu said.

"However, China is China, and the US is the US, and both can achieve success in their own way, because the US and China are actually both benefiting from their longstanding relationship," he said.

The discussion, which was held by the Indonesian Foreign Policy Community (FPCI) and the Chinese Embassy, was guided by the Chairman and Founder of FPCI Dino Patti Djalal and attended by 475 audiences.