17-10-2023 (JAKARTA) President Xi Jinping of China has expressed the country’s willingness to expand and reinforce collaboration with Indonesia in various emerging industries, encompassing the digital economy, photovoltaics, and new energy vehicles. The Chinese President made this commitment during a meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo on the sidelines of the Belt and Road Forum, according to China Central Television, a state media outlet.
President Xi underscored China’s readiness to enhance the import of agricultural and fishery products from Indonesia. Additionally, he stressed the need for the two nations to further integrate their industrial and supply chains while jointly promoting the creation of a “regional comprehensive economic corridor.”
Indonesia reached a significant milestone in October when President Widodo inaugurated a high-speed railway project, with a price tag of $7.3 billion, connecting the capital with the city of Bandung. This high-speed railway is one of President Widodo’s prominent infrastructure initiatives and is aligned with China’s Belt and Road Initiative. However, it has encountered various challenges, including land procurement issues, pandemic-related delays, and escalating costs.
During their discussions, President Xi commended the high-speed railway as a symbol of the strong collaboration between China and Indonesia in advancing the Belt and Road Initiative. President Widodo has paid several visits to China over the past few months, highlighting the significance of the relationship.
President Widodo, for his part, conveyed Indonesia’s view of China as a crucial strategic partner in the nation’s economic development and infrastructure construction. He expressed a keen interest in reinforcing communication and cooperation with China, according to state media reports.
President Xi emphasised the importance of the two countries working closely together to protect the centrality of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), promote open regionalism, and demonstrate the responsibilities of major developing nations.
