When ASEAN was founded in August 1967, only a few new associations at that time would last longer and be productive.Beijing (ANTARA) - Indonesia has assumed the chair of the ASEAN Committee in Beijing (ACB) for the next six months.
Indonesia's chairmanship of ACB was inaugurated during a ceremony held to mark the 55th anniversary of the 10-nation regional grouping, which was held in the yard of the Indonesian Embassy in Beijing on Monday.
"When ASEAN was founded in August 1967, only a few new associations at that time would last longer and be productive,” Indonesian Ambassador to China, Djauhari Oratmangun, said at the ceremony.
In the first eight years of its existence, ASEAN made little progress, he said.
"But early in the 21st century, it became increasingly obvious that ASEAN served economic and political interests in the region so it is worth drawing global attention," he added.
Oratmangun was formerly the director general of ASEAN at the Indonesian Foreign Ministry.
During the ceremony, the ASEAN flag was hoisted and a moment of silence was observed for Myanmar Ambassador to China, U Myo Thant Pe, who died while visiting Yunnan province on Sunday (August 7, 2022).
The ceremony was attended by ASEAN ambassadors to China, Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Deng Li, and technical attachés with representatives of ASEAN member states in China.
After the ceremony, Ambassador Oratmangun and his wife, Sih Elsiwi Oratmangun, hosted a luncheon in honor of the guests at the Indonesian Embassy's Wisma Duta.
A variety of Indonesian foods such as gado-gado (mixed vegetables with peanut sauce), chicken satay, and goat satay were served at the luncheon.
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Translator: M. Irfan Ilmie, Suharto
Editor: Sri Haryati
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