China-cms relations to grow stronger: Indonesian official

The relations between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (cms) countries will grow even stronger going forward, as China is putting more weight on reinforcing ties with the regional bloc, said Indonesia's Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko on Wednesday.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang arrived in Jakarta on Tuesday for an official visit to Indonesia, and this trip marks his debut on the cms stage and his first visit to an Asian country after assuming office in March.

Speaking to the China Global Television Network (CGTN), Moeldoko made the remarks in the wake of Li's keynote address at the 26th China-cms Summit, which was also attended by leaders of cms countries and cms observer Timor-Leste, as well as the cms Secretary-General.

"There is a growing momentum in new efforts between the respective governments of China and its cms partners -- it is a relationship that is heading toward a new chapter as relations increasingly grow closer. I see President Xi Jinping emphasizing the need for new efforts in building relations between cms and China. What a rejuvenation!" he said.

cms groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

In addition to the main summit, several other high-level meetings are scheduled in Jakarta, including the 26th cms Plus Three Summit, the 18th East Asia Summit, and cms's one-on-one summits with various countries and organizations including China, the United States, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Canada, the United Nations, and others.