VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) said on Thursday it has agreed with China to upgrade their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership, a day after reaching a similar deal with Australia.

Australia's clinching of the elevated partnership was a symbolic win for Canberra in getting ahead of China in securing the first such deal with the Southeast Asia region, which has become a strategic battleground between Beijing and Washington.

The announcement was made by Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah during a news conference at which he was asked about Myanmar's future attendance of ASEAN events, after its junta chief Min Aung Hlaing, who led a coup in February, was excluded from a series of Asian summits this week.

"Myanmar is an integral part of the ASEAN family and their membership has not been questioned," he said, asked if Myanmar could even be expelled from the bloc.

"ASEAN will always be there for Myanmar and we have continued to offer help through the implementation of the five-point consensus."

Min Aung Hlaing was sidelined over his failure to implement that "consensus", which he agreed with ASEAN in April, committing to ending hostilities, start dialogue and facilitate humanitarian aid and mediation efforts by a special ASEAN envoy.

"For this meeting, we have given Myanmar space while firmly upholding the principles enshrined in the ASEAN charter including that of non-interference," the sultan said.

Speaking at a separate news conference, Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah said it was unclear if Myanmar would join future ASEAN meetings and stressed the no-show this week was Myanmar's call.

Asked if it would continue to be part of ASEAN events, Saifuddin Abdullah said: "That's the one million dollar question which I cannot answer."

Japan's health ministry said it has decided to offer COVID-19 booster shots to anyone who has already received two vaccine doses, news agency Jiji reported on Thursday.

Japan had initially considered giving booster shots to frontline health workers and others who required priority first.

Australia's Foreign Minister Marise Payne said on Thursday China's ambassador to Canberra is leaving his post, ending a tenure that has coincided with a deteriorating bilateral relationship.

Cheng Jingye arrived in 2016 at a time when the Australian-Chinese relationship was riding high, but he is now leaving after his term as ambassador ends, Payne said.

"I spoke to the Chinese ambassador some time ago now, my office spoke to him last week prior to his imminent departure,” Payne told lawmakers in Canberra.

Payne said China was in the process of appointing a new ambassador to Australia, who is expected to arrive soon.

Australia's ties with China have slipped markedly since 2018 when Canberra banned Huawei from its nascent 5G broadband network, but cooled further in 2020 when Australia called for an independent investigation into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic, first reported in central China in 2019.

China responded by imposing tariffs on Australian commodities, including wine and barley and limited imports of Australian beef, coal and grapes, moves described by the United States as "economic coercion".

Commemoration of Youth Pledge Day marks victory for the young generation, Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Nadiem Anwar Makarim stated during the Youth Pledge Day event observed here on Thursday.

Youth Pledge Day commemorates the declaration made by young Indonesian nationalists during the Second Youth Congress on October 28, 1928.

"Youth Pledge Day is a day of victory for us all. This is the day where we, as the Indonesian youth generation, take a leap together in tandem," he affirmed.

Dressed in Melayu indigenous clothing, the minister noted that it is now time for the younger generation to move forward together, not just to catch up but also to enter an age replete with challenges and limitations.

"Now is the time, so do not look back again. There is only way, forward. The only way is to move together. We have to take a leap now," he stated.

"This is the time to unite, revive, and grow," he affirmed.

Makarim believes that Indonesia's future lies in the hands of youth, adding that Indonesia can shine through as an example and could liberate future generations to study and innovate.

He encouraged the younger generation to participate in the fight to achieve independence in various fields.

"Diversity is not an excuse to move back but to move forward with the youth. My age is not too disparate," the minister noted.

"I believe that with future challenges, I can become better for this country in order to fulfill the nation's aspirations through positive efforts and collaboration," he stated.

Makarim called for maintaining unity for a resilient Indonesia.

"Let us maintain our spirit as we march forward to realize Study Freedom for Indonesia's youth," he added. (Antaranews)