China and Indonesia Agree to Boost Cooperation During Xi's Visit

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indonesian President Joko Widodo agreed to boost pragmatic cooperation in various fields during Xi's visit to Indonesia this week. The two leaders discussed strengthening bilateral relations and promoting collaboration in areas such as energy transition, infrastructure development, and downstream industries.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi also called for all parties in the ongoing Gaza conflict to exercise restraint and support the full implementation of the UN Security Council resolution for a ceasefire. Both ministers expressed concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. "The unity and cooperation between China and Indonesia enhance global development, contribute to peace and stability, and drive the process of global multipolarization," Wang said during a high-level dialogue between the two countries.

Indonesia's Coordinating Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said the next administration under President-elect Prabowo Subianto will continue Widodo's programs and maintain the strong China-Indonesia relationship. China is currently Indonesia's largest trading partner, and the two countries have set export targets and cooperation plans to further strengthen economic ties.

Why this matters: The boosted cooperation between China and Indonesia, two major powers in the Asia-Pacific region, has significant implications for regional stability and economic development. As tensions rise in the South China Sea, Indonesia's neutral foreign policy and efforts to balance relations with both China and the United States will be crucial factors to watch.

During his visit, Wang Yi also met with Prabowo Subianto, who will become Indonesia's new defense minister, to discuss regional peace and stability, as well as potential military cooperation. Prabowo thanked China for the warm reception during his recent visit to Beijing and expressed hope to continuously push forward the bilateral strategic cooperation.

Xi and Widodo have met 12 times in the past 10 years and reached important common understandings on upgrading China-Indonesia relations. The two sides agreed to deepen political mutual trust, strengthen strategic coordination, and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability. Indonesia welcomed more Chinese investment and expressed willingness to strengthen cooperation in economy, trade, food security and energy.

The Fourth Meeting of the China-Indonesia High-level Dialogue Cooperation Mechanism, co-chaired by Wang Yi and Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, resulted in a broad consensus on practical cooperation in various fields. The two sides pledged to deepen the synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and Indonesia's development strategy, ensure the success of major projects like the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway, and expand collaboration in digital economy, green development, and improving people's livelihood.

The visit by the Chinese delegation underscores the importance of the China-Indonesia partnership and the incoming Prabowo administration's engagement with China. While the focus was primarily on enhancing economic ties, the leaders also addressed regional security issues like the South China Sea dispute, expressing a shared desire for peace and stability in the region.

Key Takeaways

• China, Indonesia agree to boost cooperation in energy, infrastructure, and industries.
• China, Indonesia call for restraint in Gaza conflict and address humanitarian crisis.
• Incoming Indonesian admin under Prabowo to continue strong China-Indonesia ties.
• China-Indonesia cooperation aims to enhance regional stability and economic development.
• Leaders discuss deepening political trust, strengthening strategic coordination, and safeguarding regional peace.