Bright outlook for China ties with Indonesia
Xi’s message to Prabowo reflects aim to bolster bilateral bonds, envoy says
The congratulatory message from President Xi Jinping to Indonesian Presidentelect Prabowo Subianto underscores China’s readiness to build on the robust diplomatic ties, said Beijing’s top envoy to Jakarta.
In the message extended to Prabowo on March 20, Xi stressed his strong emphasis on the development of ties with Indonesia, saying that he looks forward to concerted efforts with the president-elect to usher in greater achievements in building a bilateral community with a shared future.
The two nations should set an example of solidarity and coordination for common development among major developing countries, deliver more benefits to the two peoples and give strong impetus to regional and global prosperity and stability, Xi said.
Prabowo, who is the defense minister of Indonesia, was on March 20 announced as the winner of the Southeast Asian country’s presidential election, securing the Feb 14 contest with nearly 60 percent of the votes.
In an interview with China Daily, Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia Lu Kang underlined Beijing’s readiness to work with the new Indonesian government to continue building highlevel strategic trust, deepening comprehensive strategic cooperation and promoting substantial development of the China-Indonesia community with a shared future.
Lu said Chinese leaders extended congratulatory messages to Prabowo and his running mate, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, immediately after the official announcement of the election results.
“This speaks volumes for the high regard Chinese leaders have for the development of China-Indonesia relations,” he said.
“It is the common aspiration of the Chinese and Indonesian people to maintain the sustained and steady development of bilateral relations,” Lu said. “We believe that in the future, we will see more frequent and closer interactions between the leaders of the two countries.”
The relationship between China and Indonesia, under the strategic
guidance of Xi and President Joko Widodo, has grown rapidly, Lu said.
The two sides have kept enhancing alignment in development strategies, jointly established a high-level dialogue and cooperation mechanism, and formed a new pattern of “fourwheel drive” cooperation in the political, economic, cultural and maritime fields, he said.
As one of the landmark projects of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway has proved to be a resounding success.
Lu said one of the key experiences of the project’s success is that the two sides have always adhered to the principle of wide consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits.
The success will enable both nations to further substantiate their Belt and Road cooperation and set a new landmark for pragmatic cooperation
across various sectors, especially in infrastructure and production capacity, the ambassador said.
Xu Liping, director of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences’ Center of Southeast Asian Studies, said “the trend of friendship between China and Indonesia has become irreversible” after decade-long efforts to build bilateral relations.
“This friendship has given the Indonesian people a concrete sense of gain, and laid a solid foundation for the bilateral relationship.”
Lu said that China will continue to utilize its technology, equipment and manufacturing to boost bilateral cooperation in connectivity, continue to promote the “Two Countries, Two Parks” and other landmark projects of the BRI.
He also stressed China’s readiness to deepen cooperation in emerging fields such as the digital economy,
the green economy and Silk Road e-commerce.
China, already the largest trading partner of Indonesia for 11 consecutive years, has long been a major source of investment for the Southeast Asian country. Trade between the two nations reached $139.4 billion last year.
There are now over 1,000 Chinese businesses in Indonesia, covering sectors such as energy, telecommunications, power grids, mining, internet and the digital economy.
Lu highlighted the immense potential to further bolster trade and economic ties, and said the two sides will step up cooperation in sustainable development, food security, energy infrastructure and clean energy.
“The two sides will also expand collaboration in high-tech and emerging sectors, such as smart cities, 5G and the digital economy,” he said.