The recent visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Thursday (April 18, 2024) marked a significant milestone in Indonesia-China diplomatic relations. Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi engaged in fruitful discussions, focusing on key areas of cooperation and regional issues. In the subsequent press briefing, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi elaborated on President Jokowi’s three main messages during the meeting.
Firstly, President Jokowi emphasized the paramount importance of enhancing economic cooperation between Indonesia and China. Minister Retno highlighted President Jokowi’s keen interest in advancing the volume and value of bilateral trade, striving for a more equitable trade relationship. President Jokowi also underscored the need for continuous market access for Indonesian products in China, including addressing protocols for importing Indonesian agricultural and fisheries products.
Furthermore, President Jokowi underscored the significance of bolstering collaboration in developing the Indonesia-China Economic Corridor (IKN), particularly emphasizing advancements in transportation infrastructure. He also addressed concerns regarding the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway, advocating for technology transfer and expediting feasibility studies for extending its route to Surabaya.
Additionally, President Jokowi encouraged the implementation of strategic projects in the North Kalimantan industrial zone, with a particular emphasis on attracting investments in the petrochemical sector.
Secondly, President Jokowi stressed the critical importance of food security, emphasizing the necessity of bilateral cooperation in agriculture, particularly focusing on rice, horticulture, and durian. He highlighted the value of studying China’s agricultural models to enhance Indonesia’s agricultural productivity.
Lastly, President Jokowi addressed the situation in the Middle East, emphasizing Indonesia’s commitment to diplomatic engagement with various stakeholders, including Iran and the United States. Indonesia emphasized the need for restraint, de-escalation, and utilizing diplomatic influence to prevent further tensions.
Minister Retno emphasized Indonesia’s alignment with China in supporting Palestinian independence through a two-state solution. Both sides reiterated their commitment to a fair resolution of the Palestinian issue for ensuring stability in the Middle East. Additionally, they exchanged views on the widespread support among UN member states for Palestine’s full membership in the UN, reaffirming their staunch support for Palestine’s UN membership.