China, Indonesia strengthen ties

Officials and experts have noted that the joint efforts by China and Indonesia to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership and build a China-Indonesia community with shared regional and global influence reflect their long-standing friendship.

These efforts are expected to have significant positive impacts for both the region and beyond, particularly as Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto concluded his three-day state visit to China on Sunday.

This was Prabowo’s second visit to China this year and his first foreign trip since taking office on October 20. His decision to visit China first after his election victory in March underscores the importance he places on strengthening relations with China.

President Xi Jinping emphasized that Prabowo’s visits highlight the strategic importance of China-Indonesia relations, noting that the principles of strategic autonomy, mutual trust, cooperation, fairness, and justice have been key in guiding the development of their ties.

Xi further stated that China is ready to work with Indonesia to build on their collaboration, focusing on self-improvement, solidarity, and promoting coordination among major developing countries for mutual benefit.

For the past 11 years, China has been Indonesia’s largest trading partner and a major source of tourists, while Indonesia remains China’s second-largest investment destination in ASEAN.

Du Lan, a deputy director at the China Institute of International Studies, remarked that Prabowo’s visits underline China’s significant role in Southeast Asia’s largest economy, and emphasized the expansion of cooperation in areas like digital economy, green development, and modernization efforts.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, and next year marks the 70th anniversary of the Bandung Conference, which was focused on independence, peace, and economic prosperity.

Xi highlighted that China and Indonesia, as major developing nations and key members of the Global South, should work together to steer global governance toward greater fairness and equity.

Prabowo affirmed that Indonesia follows an independent, non-aligned foreign policy and will not join any military alliances or exclusive blocs, and expressed a willingness to enhance coordination with China within multilateral frameworks such as the G20.

Analysts believe that the strengthened solidarity between China and Indonesia will contribute to global development, peace, and stability, and play a vital role in advancing multi-polarization as the world faces complex global challenges.

Prabowo’s proposals to mediate geopolitical conflicts, such as the Ukraine crisis and the Palestine-Israel conflict, align with China’s views on regional and international affairs, especially in China-ASEAN cooperation and South China Sea stability.

By strengthening strategic coordination, China and Indonesia aim to update the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and the Bandung Spirit, contributing to the creation of a shared future for all humankind.

Xu Liping of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences highlighted that the visit reflected both countries’ commitment to South-South cooperation, reinforcing the resilience and growth of major developing nations.

Following the discussions, the two leaders witnessed the signing of several cooperation agreements in areas like the blue economy, water conservancy, and mineral resources.