Indonesia-China Together Wading Through “Storms”

The journey of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and China will enter its 75th year in 2025. Indonesia became one of the first countries in Southeast Asia to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China on April 13, 1950. 

Indeed, diplomatic relations between Indonesia and China were frozen for 20 years after the events of 1965. The PRC Embassy in Jakarta was closed. 

In 1990, diplomatic relations between Indonesia and PRC were restored and marked by a visit by Chinese Foreign Minister Qian Qichen. Furthermore, Chinese Premier Li Peng visited. This marked the beginning of a closer relationship. 

Momentum grew in the following years, especially after Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Jakarta in 2013. At that time, Xi proposed the construction of a 21st century Maritime Silk Road. Since then, bilateral relations between the two countries have reached an unprecedented high. 

The PRC Ambassador to Jakarta Wang Lutong said that for 75 years the two countries have weathered storms together. Bilateral relations have developed rapidly through various changes in the era. 

"China and Indonesia are good neighbors and partners. China is ready to work with Indonesia to deepen development. We have prepared a foreign and defense ministerial dialogue mechanism (2+2). The first ministerial meeting will take place in the next few days," Wang said at the celebration of the 75th anniversary of China-Indonesia diplomatic relations on Thursday (17/4/2025) in Jakarta. 

China will enhance strategic coordination and strengthen the five pillars of political, economic, cultural, maritime and security cooperation. For example, the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway "Whoosh", the "Two Countries, Twin Parks" project, and create new flagship projects within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative cooperation. 

China will also expand cooperation on electric vehicles, digital economy, and green energy. China has also injected new momentum into bilateral trade and investment. 

Economic and trade cooperation strengthens China-Indonesia relations. Bilateral trade last year exceeded 147.8 billion US dollars, marking a growth of 6.1 percent. For 12 consecutive years, China has remained Indonesia's largest trading partner. Chinese electric vehicle brands such as BYD, Wuling, and Chery are popular in Indonesia. 

Security pillar 

Indonesian Ambassador to China and Mongolia Djauhari Oratmangun said that during President Prabowo Subianto's visit to China in November 2024, the two countries agreed to add one more pillar of partnership, namely security. 

Since 2018, Indonesia and China have agreed to synergize development cooperation within the framework of the Global Maritime Fulcrum and the Belt and Road Initiative. Within this framework, the two countries have agreed to work together to develop four economic corridors in North Sumatra (an industrial hub with ASEAN), Kalimantan (including for minerals), Bali (for digital and creative), and North Sulawesi (an industrial hub with the Pacific), as well as cooperation in other strategic projects. 

Tag: China Indonesia Qian Qichen