Beijing, Jakarta expand partnerships

Building on the success of the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway, China and Indonesia are actively exploring new areas for collaboration in various sectors, with industries such as digital economy and green development emerging as priorities, says Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia Wang Lutong.

Sunday marked the 75th anniversary of the establishment of China-Indonesia diplomatic relations.

Wang said the bilateral ties have maintained strong momentum, with mutually beneficial cooperation delivering tangible benefits to both countries and peoples, and this partnership has become a model among Global South nations.

The bilateral trade has surpassed $100 billion for many consecutive years, reaching $147.8 billion last year — more than tripling the volume from a decade ago, he said.

Wang cited the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway — first of its kind in Southeast Asia — as an example of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. It has cut travel time between the two cities from more than three hours to just 40 minutes and has transported more than 8 million passengers.

"The success of the railway shows the strengths of high-quality infrastructure cooperation between China and Indonesia and has boosted confidence among other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in partnering with China on similar projects," Wang said.

As China is deepening reform and expanding high-level opening-up, he said Chinese modernization will offer greater prospects for cooperation and shared growth dividends to Indonesia and the broader region.

Noting Chinese modernization is driven by innovation, he said China's leadership in the digital economy, artificial intelligence, and green, low-carbon development will inject new dynamic into the bilateral partnership.

"In recent years, breakthroughs in nickel smelting, power batteries and green energy have positioned Indonesia as a key global hub for stainless steel and new energy battery materials.

"These advancements have accelerated industrial upgrading, fostered sustainable economic growth, and provided a development model for other ASEAN countries."

China will continue to unleash its ultra-large market potential and facilitate greater market access for high-quality Indonesian products, such as palm oil, to support Indonesia's economic growth, he added.

People-centered projects

Beyond infrastructure and trade, Wang said China will continue to align its efforts with Indonesia's development strategies to promote more high-quality, sustainable, and people-centered projects.

"Across Indonesian society, China is widely viewed as a trustworthy partner," Wang said, recounting his interactions with Indonesian government officials, business leaders, academics, and ordinary citizens during visits to multiple provinces since assuming office in October.

"Many Indonesian friends have expressed admiration for China's achievements in technological innovation, infrastructure, and green development. They hope to learn from China's experience, deepen cooperation, and seize shared development opportunities.

"I'm particularly struck by the deep cultural affinity Indonesians have toward China, and there is widespread interest in Chinese language, cuisine and martial arts," he said, adding Indonesian academia and think tanks have shown great interest in China's development philosophies and global initiatives.

Rooted in a strong foundation of friendship, China-Indonesia relations enjoy vast room for future cooperation, he said.

As two major developing countries and representatives of the Global South, Wang said China-Indonesia relations transcend bilateral ties, particularly in today's complex geopolitical landscape and amid rising protectionism.

"Both nations uphold the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, safeguard free trade and the multilateral system, and jointly support the China-proposed Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative."

China and Indonesia have "enormous potential for multilateral cooperation" and share the responsibility of uniting Global South nations, upholding justice, and advancing a more equitable global governance system, he added.

Wang highlighted the benefits of tariff reductions under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, which have "strengthened regional industrial and supply chains and boosted the competitiveness of Indonesian exports".

Last month, Indonesia decided to join the New Development Bank, following its full membership in BRICS in January.

Going forward, China and Indonesia are well-positioned to deepen all-round, multilevel cooperation within BRICS, injecting greater momentum to regional peace and prosperity, Wang said.

zhaojia@chinadaily.com.cn