Analysts call for stronger Beijing-Jakarta relations

China and Indonesia should build on the positive momentum in recent years, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation across all sectors, work together to address current global and regional challenges, and promote common development, officials and experts said on Tuesday, as this year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

They made the remarks at a forum themed "Indonesia and China After 75 Years of Bilateral Relations: The Way Forward", held in Beijing by the Indonesian embassy and the think tank Center for China and Globalization.

"The past 75 years have witnessed fruitful results in our diplomatic ties," said Djauhari Oratmangun, Indonesian ambassador to China. "The two countries elevated their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2013, marking a new height in bilateral engagement. Their cooperation now spans five core pillars: political, economic, maritime, people-to-people and security."

The bilateral trade has risen sharply, growing from $79 billion in 2019 to $147 billion last year, and China has remained among Indonesia's top three sources of investment over the past five years, he said. The two countries are also deepening cooperation in tourism, education and culture, fostering greater mutual understanding through a wide range of exchange programs, he added.

"The friendly ties between the two countries have long extended beyond diplomacy and economic cooperation. Our partnership is driven not only by shared interests, but also by mutual respect and mutual benefit, contributing in concrete ways to regional stability."

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto made China his first overseas destination after taking office, which underscores China's strategic importance as Indonesia's core partner and reaffirms Indonesia's strong commitment to expanding cooperation across multiple fields, the ambassador said.

"With Indonesia now joining BRICS, we look forward to deepening cooperation with China and other member states under the BRICS framework, working together to advance the common interests of developing nations and promote a more balanced and inclusive global economic order."

Xue Song, an assistant researcher at the Institute of International Studies at Fudan University in Shanghai, said China-Indonesia relations have remained stable and resilient despite an increasingly challenging global environment.

"In recent years, China has become Indonesia's leading partner not only in infrastructure, but also in downstream industries and the digital economy," Xue said.

"Moreover, the implementation of major projects such as the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway has helped improve livelihoods in local communities."

Shifting global security strategies are heightening geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties in the Asia-Pacific region, she said. Against this backdrop, it is imperative for China and Indonesia to strengthen their cooperation, she added.

Inclusive regionalism

Rizal Sukma, a senior fellow at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Indonesia, said Jakarta has long upheld the value of inclusive regionalism and is committed to helping build an open and equitable world order.

"Indonesia has consistently upheld the principle that all nations, regardless of their size, should have a voice. Southeast Asia and the wider Asia-Pacific should remain a zone of peace and cooperation, rather than a front line for unilateralism or great-power rivalry," he said.

"China remains committed to helping build a fair and equitable global order. Against this backdrop, Indonesia can further strengthen cooperation with China, advance practical exchanges and rise above ideological differences to navigate global complexity."

Xu Liping, director of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that as major countries of the Global South, China and Indonesia bear a responsibility to make their voices heard in global governance and to help build a more just and equitable framework for global governance and economic development.

"China and Indonesia should deepen political dialogue, expand economic cooperation and enhance people-to-people exchanges to foster mutual understanding and improve connectivity across policies and other areas," Xu said.

liujianqiao@chinadaily.com.cn