Indonesia key to upgrading China-ASEAN relations

Indonesia will play a key role in China's drive to upgrade economic ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, while great potential can be envisioned in China-Indonesia economic relations, experts said.

"Indonesia is the largest economy in ASEAN and attaches great importance to economic integration in East Asia. China should better develop its partnership with Indonesia, which will have significant meaning for upgrading China-ASEAN ties," said Zhang Jianping, a researcher from the Institute for International Economic Research under the National Development and Reform Commission.

Song Hong, an economist with the Institute of World Economics and Politics under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, echoed that there is great potential for China and Indonesia to further expand trade and investment cooperation.