VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

James Cleverly, the UK Foreign Secretary - 

The UK Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, recently set out the UK position on China as combining 2 currents – engaging where we must on issues of global significance (climate, health, trade); and recognising our differences on values and security – and 3 pillars Strengthen our national security protections where there is a threat to our people or our prosperity, Deepen our cooperation and strengthen our alignment with friends and partners in the Indo-Pacific and across the world, Engage directly with China, bilaterally and multilaterally, to preserve and create open, constructive and stable relations, reflecting China’s global importance. 

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Saturday, Britain will engage on issues of global significance but recognise their differences on values and security. 

Recognising the depth and complexity of Chinese history and civilisation – something that would be mirrored in UK policy – and the myriad achievements of the Chinese people, the Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, said that Chinese inventions – paper, printing, gunpowder, the compass – have transformed the fortunes of the whole of humanity.

Then calamities struck, one after another; some caused by foreign aggression; others coming from within China itself. Yet the last 45 years have seen another astonishing reversal. By releasing the enterprising genius of its people, China has achieved the biggest and fastest economic expansion the world has ever known.

Acknowledging the challenges, the Foreign Secretary added that “We should have every confidence in our collective ability to engage robustly and also constructively with China, not as an end in itself, but to manage risks and produce results.

Meanwhile The Indonesian Ambassador to Indonesia, Owen Jenkins said that the Foreign Secretary has set out a clear-eyed and pragmatic approach to China, avoiding cheap soundbites and recognising that they need to achieve three things to protect their national security, align with their friends, and engage and trade with China where their interests converge.

"We believe that our partners will recognise that this honest and open approach is the right one to build stability, openness and transparency in the Indo-Pacific. Indonesia has a special place in the region, as a hugely important partner and in its role as  the Chair of ASEAN in 2023. We will continue to engage actively with Indonesia to shape the future of Indo-Pacific as an open, stable and inclusive region, with ASEAN at its centre”, Indonesian Ambassador to Indonesia, Owen Jenkins added//VOI