"There is no doubt the US and China are big players in the Asia Pacific region," he said when speaking at the fourth World Peace Forum here on Saturday.
Yudhoyono noted that China has been transformed into an economically and militarily strong and modern country. "It has even become a dynamic world economic power," he added.
Yudhoyono, the sixth president of Indonesia, added "with its capacity in economic and military fields, as well as its strategic location, China has become one of the worlds powers."
The US, on the other hand, as a big economic power, is also playing a balancing role in the Asia-Pacific region. "Most countries in the region have long relied on its markets and its economic scale. The US military power has also affected the scale of regional security," Yudhoyono said.
The dynamic in the relations between the US and China is expected not to create a crisis, but to lead to a 21st Century partnership based upon mutual respect and equality in various interests.
"The US and China, moreover, have common interests with regard to investment, the Iranian nuclear talks, peace talks in Afghanistan and the fight against terrorism, as well as in dealing with climate change," he said.
Yudhoyono said the US and China must keep developing constructive and mutually beneficial efforts for the sake of not only the two countries, but also the region.
"This is, indeed, not easy to achieve, but there must never be a miscalculation made by the two that would escalate the situation in the region," he said.
He said it was undeniable that rivalry between the big powers in Asia Pacific was still strong, and "therefore all potentials for cooperation must be developed, rather than the potential for conflict," he said.
He said cooperation and solidarity in the Asia Pacific region could be built through three forums, including economic and military cooperation, and cooperation among international communities in the Asia Pacific region.
"People-to-people and cultural relationships are very important and are the main foundation for cooperation, not only for now, but also in the future and for future generations," he said.
reporting by rini utami
(H-YH/INE/a014)
(T.SYS/B/KR-BSR/A014)
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
Copyright © ANTARA 2015
