At a time of growing turbulence and uncertainty, the first conference of the China-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Dialogue Mechanism and the second Ministerial Meeting of the China-Indonesia Joint Foreign and Defense Ministerial Dialogue, or 2+2 mechanism, both held in Jakarta on Friday, have provided important platforms for the two countries to enhance strategic communication, align development strategies and strengthen strategic coordination.
As major developing countries with international influence, China and Indonesia share a common interest in upholding strategic autonomy, promoting multilateralism and advancing a more equal and orderly multipolar world. The visits to Indonesia by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Defense Minister Dong Jun this week have underscored the strategic depth and growing vitality of China-Indonesia relations, while injecting fresh momentum into cooperation between the two major developing countries.
As Wang said, China is a reliable, long-term and stable partner in Indonesia”s national development process. China has both the ability and willingness to deepen practical cooperation so that development achievements can translate into tangible benefits for the Indonesian people.
The two countries enjoy strong economic complementarity. China has capital, technology, industrial capacity and a vast market, while Indonesia possesses abundant natural resources, a large domestic market and significant development potential. Cooperation in energy and mineral resources, infrastructure, manufacturing, artificial intelligence, poverty reduction and other fields can help Indonesia transform its resource advantages into development momentum and accelerate its industrialization and modernization.
At the same time, Indonesia’s commitment to providing Chinese enterprises with a fair, transparent, friendly and nondiscriminatory business environment is essential to sustain the mutually beneficial cooperation.
The two countries are committed to developing their economies and delivering greater benefits to their peoples. By implementing the important consensus reached by their heads of state, as well as the outcomes of the two exchange mechanisms, the two sides can comprehensively advance their cooperation beyond their economic ties to security and other areas.
Regional peace, stability and common development are in the fundamental interests of both China and Indonesia. Some recent developments have once again shown that attempts to introduce external interference and create confrontation in the region serve no one’s interests.
As an important member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Indonesia can play a constructive role in promoting ASEAN-China cooperation and properly handling the South China Sea issue. China and Indonesia should work toward an early conclusion of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. This commitment should be translated into concrete action by accelerating negotiations on the COC and safeguarding an environment of dialogue and consultation.
The recent joint naval navigation exercise between the Chinese and Indonesian navies in waters east of China’s Taiwan Island demonstrated the two sides’ willingness and capability to conduct practical security cooperation.
The more turbulent the world becomes and the more complex external challenges grow, the more China and Indonesia should strengthen solidarity, deepen mutual trust, uphold openness and cooperation, and safeguard their common interests.
Such cooperation will not only inject fresh impetus into China’s and Indonesia’s respective development, but also set an example of solidarity and cooperation for the Global South, while making a positive contribution to regional peace, stability and common development.