By Adi Harsono
In the last five years, the Chinese economy has developed steadily and quickly. China's GDP has grown rapidly, and its people's lives have improved tremendously. The government has exercised macro-economic controls to maintain the balance of its economic development. Efforts in building a harmonious society have paid off with improvements in overall Chinese social conduct. In general, China has achieved a lot over the last five years, which is obvious to all.
The steady political and economic development of China over the years has provided ASEAN countries with a large space for development. Indeed, a peaceful environment is crucial for Asia's development. In this context, China has consistently made efforts to resolve differences and disputes through dialogue, which should serve as an example for other major powers.
In recent years, economic and trade interaction between China and ASEAN has grown increasingly active. By 2016, China had become ASEAN's largest trading partner for eight consecutive years, while ASEAN was China's third largest partner for six consecutive years. China-ASEAN bilateral trade is expected to reach US$1 trillion by 2020. China has accelerated its direct investment in ASEAN countries, with total amount of direct investment surpassing US$10 billion. A lot of job opportunities have been created for ASEAN countries.
In terms of cultural and people-to-people exchanges, personnel flows in both directions exceeded 38 million in 2016. China has become ASEAN's largest source of overseas tourists. In education, an increasing number of ASEAN parents have chosen to send their children to Chinese universities. I believe that in the future, some state leaders of ASEAN countries will turn out to be Tsinghua or Peking University alumni. As a Chinese saying goes, “A close neighbor is better than a distant relative”. I believe cultural and educational exchanges between younger generations of China and ASEAN will contribute to the steady development of the region.
The Belt and Road Initiative proposed by China in 2013 extended development space to the Middle East and Europe. The establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Development Bank provided ASEAN governments and companies with the funds they urgently need for infrastructure development. The best example is the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway in Indonesia. Chinese private companies have also been very active in ASEAN. New factories and new industrial zones have been booming, especially in Indonesia. Chinese private businesses have invested with capital, knowledge and technology, bringing tangible benefits to the local population.
I am very lucky to have lived and worked in Shanghai for six years, starting in 2000. I witnessed China's leapfrog development at the beginning of the new century. Under the guidance of its leaders over the last five years, China's development has been very impressive, especially in high-tech industries. I believe more innovative technologies will emerge in China in the next five years.
Whenever possible, I have told young people in ASEAN countries about my success in China, trying to give them a better understanding of China's achievements in science and technology and its rapid development. Younger generations will have to face new challenges in this new era, including big data, robots, Industry 4.0 and other areas. Developing countries have to learn from China's model of development to become more competitive and self-reliant. To achieve the same progress as China, it is important for ASEAN countries to engage with China in friendly cooperation and mutual learning.
I believe China-ASEAN friendly relations will prosper within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.
About the author: A 1979 graduate of Indonesia’s Gadjahmada University. In 2008, Adi Harsono joined Singapore’s KS Energy Corporation as a member of its board and its chief representative in China.
Harsono is a senior advisor of the Indonesia-China Culture & Friendship Association, vice-chairman of the Malaysian Committee of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce, and chair of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai.