Indonesian Vice Minister of Trade Mahendra Siregar made the statement on the sidelines of the ASEAN - China Economic Ministers’ Meeting in Manado, Indonesia on August 12.

ASEAN total exports to China was US$113.5 billion last year, representing a year-on-year rise of 39.1 percent, while the bloc’s imports from China were up 21.8 percent to US$117.7 billion.

The same day, at the 14^th ASEAN+3 Economic Ministers’ Meeting in Indonesia, Chinese Trade Minister Chen Deming underlined that China considers ASEAN, Japan and the Republic of Korea (RoK) as its important trade and investment partners.

Last year, total trade turnover between China and ASEAN, Japan and the RoK accounted for 27 percent of China’s trade turnover. Meanwhile, the total amount of capital ASEAN, Japan, and the RoK poured into China made up 12.4 percent of the total foreign investment in the country.

Therefore, China attaches importance to trade cooperation among ASEAN+3 member countries. China is willing to promote economic cooperation in the East Asian region, contributing to the economic development in the region and common prosperity among the East Asian countries.