Yesterday, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, also known as Jokowi, welcomed Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta. This meeting followed a recent trip by Defense Minister and President-elect Prabowo Subianto to Beijing, where Chinese President Xi Jinping praised the strong relationship between Indonesia and China and shared a vision for regional peace amidst growing tensions in Southeast Asia.
Prabowo’s visit to China underscored China’s importance to Indonesia, while Wang’s visit emphasized Indonesia’s significance as a key partner for Beijing in Southeast Asia.
Discussions between Wang and Indonesian officials, including Jokowi and Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, mainly focused on economic cooperation between the two nations. The leaders talked about potential collaboration in industrial downstreaming, infrastructure development, manufacturing, energy transition, and food security.
Jokowi specifically emphasized market access for Indonesian products in China and highlighted projects like the extension of the China-backed Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway and developments in the new capital city, Nusantara.
During a High-Level Dialogue Cooperation Mechanism meeting in Labuan Bajo, both sides delved into detailed talks on enhancing economic cooperation, especially in important sectors like transportation, petrochemicals, and agriculture. Marsudi and Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan led the Indonesian delegation.
In a meeting with Luhut, Wang discussed plans for rice cultivation in the Food Estate area of Central Kalimantan and the expansion of the Kuala Tanjung Port in North Sumatra, among other issues.
Given that China is Indonesia’s largest trading partner and a significant investor, surpassing $127 billion in two-way trade volume and $7.4 billion in investments last year, it’s not surprising that the focus was on economic issues. The two countries also discussed combating transnational crimes like online fraud operations affecting people in Indonesia.
In addition to economic matters, the two nations addressed international issues, including the Israel-Hamas war. Both Wang and Marsudi expressed support for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and blamed the United States for impeding ceasefire resolutions at the UN.
While Indonesia and China’s efforts to promote peace in Palestine are commendable, attention needs to be redirected towards easing tensions in the South China Sea region. The ongoing conflict in this area remains a point of contention.
Despite not being directly involved in the Philippines-China dispute, the situation around the Natuna Islands poses a threat to Indonesia’s stability. Both Wang and Retno expressed a desire for peace and stability in the region, emphasizing the importance of respecting international law and possibly agreeing on a Code of Conduct with ASEAN.
Wang’s visit underlines the deepening relations between Indonesia and China under the incoming Prabowo administration, highlighting the mutual value both countries place on this partnership.