Chinese Premier Li Qiang, during his arrival in Jakarta for a two-day visit, said China and Indonesia would promote “true multilateralism,” according to Xinhua.
China has intensified engagement with countries in the region since U.S. President Donald Trump announced hefty import tariffs on its global trading partners earlier this year.
Some levies have since been delayed, while China and the U.S. agreed this month to pause some of their tariffs. Jakarta, whose biggest trading partner is China, has offered the U.S. a number of concessions in a bid to soften tariffs against Indonesia.
At a business leaders’ event later on Saturday, at which Li was present, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said relations between Beijing and Jakarta were key for regional stability, adding that Indonesia views China as an important partner in developing industry and technology.
He also praised China’s role in defending the interests of developing countries and its stand against “imperialism” and “colonialism.”
Prabowo and Li will hold a meeting on Sunday to discuss how to strengthen Indonesia-China relations, Indonesian investment minister Rosan Roeslani said in a statement.
Following the visit to Jakarta, Li will travel to Malaysia to attend the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit, Xinhua reported.
China-Indonesia Relationship
The China-Indonesia relationship has grown significantly in recent years, marked by deepening economic, political, and strategic cooperation.
As Southeast Asia’s largest economy, Indonesia plays a pivotal role in China’s regional ambitions, particularly under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Infrastructure investments such as the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway—Southeast Asia’s first—are flagship projects symbolising their growing partnership.
Trade between the two nations has surged, with China remaining Indonesia’s largest trading partner and a key investor in sectors like mining, manufacturing, and digital technology.
Both countries have also expanded cooperation in renewable energy, agriculture, and maritime security, aligning with Indonesia’s development goals and China’s regional economic integration strategy.
However, tensions occasionally arise over the South China Sea, where Indonesia’s exclusive economic zone overlaps with China’s expansive maritime claims. Despite these challenges, both sides have managed to contain disputes and prioritise dialogue.
(With inputs from Reuters)
