Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi: China Supports ASEAN And President Jokowi's Initiative On Myanmar

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi. (Irfan Meidianto / VOI)

JAKARTA - Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, together with Trade Minister Muhammad Lutfi and BUMN Minister Erick Thohir, held 14 marathon meetings with various parties during a working visit to China.

In a virtual press statement, Friday 2 April evening, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi revealed that a series of marathon meetings today were held with representatives of the government, vaccine producers and the private sector.

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi explained that in his meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Indonesia and China had similar concerns about the development of the situation in Myanmar.

He expressed that, like Indonesia, China also has the same view regarding the importance of ending the use of force and violence which makes the people of Myanmar suffer even more.

"China supports ASEAN's efforts and offers to help Myanmar, including providing support for President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) 's initiative to hold an ASEAN Summit," said Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi.

"Two days ago I held talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and discussed the Myanmar issue. They also supported ASEAN and the Indonesian President's initiative to organize an ASEAN Summit," he added.

Indo-Pacific Region

Meanwhile, regarding conditions in the Indo-Pacific region which have been warming recently, Foreign Minister Retno emphasized the principles of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, especially the issue of inclusiveness, which means that ASEAN is open with all partners to implement cooperation.

"We promote inclusive cooperation, because confrontation will not benefit anyone. We continue to convey this promotion of inclusive cooperation to all our partners, including during my visits to Japan and now in China. To create an Indo-region. A stable, peaceful and prosperous Pacific, "he explained.

He added that Indonesia will continue to be consistent in upholding the principles of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. By adhering to these principles, ASEAN centrality will be maintained and the implementation of important cooperation is directed towards economic cooperation that is concrete and mutually beneficial.