President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia recently met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, where they signed business agreements totaling more than $10 billion. This marks a significant milestone in the relationship between the two countries, as they aim to strengthen their cooperation in various key areas such as water conservation, maritime resources, and mining.
During the meeting, President Xi expressed China’s willingness to cooperate with the new Indonesian government for mutual benefit. The leaders discussed enhancing exchanges and cooperation in areas such as poverty reduction, medicines, grain cultivation, and the fisheries industry. Indonesia views China as a priority trading partner and a significant source of investment in commodity processing capacity and infrastructure.
President Prabowo’s decision to visit China for the second time this year highlights Indonesia’s commitment to its strategic partnership with China. Despite the current global complexities, Indonesia aims to strengthen its coordination with China and become an even closer comprehensive strategic partner.
In addition to the economic agreements, the leaders also discussed their shared interests in various fields. President Prabowo emphasized that Indonesia sees China not only as a great power but also as a great civilization. This sentiment reflects the deepening ties between the two nations in the face of geopolitical and geoeconomic challenges.
President Prabowo’s visit to China comes ahead of his trip to the United States to meet with President Joe Biden and potentially his predecessor, Donald Trump. By balancing relations with the world’s two largest economies, Indonesia seeks to leverage its partnerships for economic growth and development.
Overall, the strengthened economic partnership between China and Indonesia signifies a broader trend of collaboration between nations in the region. As both countries navigate complex global dynamics, maintaining strong ties and fostering cooperation is crucial for their mutual prosperity and stability.