Partnership for a better future
China-Indonesia cooperation benefits not only the two nations, but also the wider world
World peace and development face major challenges, including the challenge to boosting global economic recovery amid the twists and turns in international relations.
Despite the profound adjustments to, and development of, international relations, the China-Indonesia partnership has remained focused on building a community with a shared future for the two countries, especially because deepening bilateral relations have benefited the peoples of the two countries and have had far-reaching impacts on regional and global developments.
The Sino-Indonesian comprehensive strategic partnership has continued to deepen with frequent high-level exchanges. President Xi Jinping and Indonesian President Joko Widodo have maintained close strategic communication, exchanged in-depth views on bilateral ties and international and regional issues of common concern, and reached a series of important consensuses on various subjects.
In July President Widodo became the first foreign head of state to visit China after the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, reflecting the great importance both sides attach to bilateral relations. The two sides have also deepened four-pillar cooperation with the aim of strengthening political, economic, people-topeople exchanges and maritime projects.
Besides, President Widodo and leaders of major political parties in Indonesia sent congratulatory messages on the successful conclusion of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China last month, and lauded Beijing for the achievements it has made under the leadership of President Xi.
In general, people from all walks of life in Indonesia believe the 20th Party Congress has scientifically devised major policies, and set ambitious goals for China’s future undertakings in order to write a new chapter of Chinese modernization, as well as create new development opportunities to boost China-Indonesia cooperation.
Practical cooperation between China and Indonesia has continued to advance, and the joint promotion of the Belt and Road Initiative has yielded fruitful results. Both China and Indonesia are at a critical stage of economic development.
During his visit to Indonesia in 2013, President Xi proposed that the two countries jointly build the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, which together with the Silk Road Economic Belt, makes up the Belt and Road Initiative. Now, the two countries are preparing to reap the harvest of their joint efforts to advance the initiative over the past nine years.
The two sides are also working closely to complete the flagship Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway project on schedule and create new cooperation projects such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Corridor. China is Indonesia’s largest trading partner and a major source of investment, with bilateral trade maintaining strong growth momentum. Also, the two sides are working to formulate a new five-year action plan to promote all-round, high-level ties and improve the well-being of the two peoples.
Indonesia hosted the G20 Summit in Bali on Nov 15 and 16. Given the high global inflation, reluctance of major Western economies for policy coordination, and the gathering global economic risks, it has become even more important and pressing for the G20 to strengthen policy coordination and cooperation.
In a grand gesture, President Widodo, during his visit to China, personally invited President Xi to attend the summit.
On China’s part, it has been closely coordinating and cooperating with Indonesia to ensure that the G20 clears away political interference, and focuses on overcoming global challenges such as climate change, food and energy crises, public health, and promoting international cooperation in those areas.
To deal with major issues thwarting global growth, bolster Asian countries’ development and play a bigger role in global governance, the two countries should continue contributing Asia’s strength and wisdom to promote better global governance, and highlight the great strategic significance and far-reaching influence of China-Indonesia relations.
The mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Indonesia conforms to the trend of our times. And while the Chinese people have embarked on a new journey to build a modern socialist country in all respects, Indonesians are working hard pursuing Vision 2045.
Moreover, the strategic guidance of the two heads of state will continue to inject new impetus into China-Indonesia ties and help build a Sino-Indonesian community with a shared future, help boost the recovery of the world economy, and promote international fairness and justice.