BEIJING, 28 July — Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Indonesian leader Joko Widodo to strengthen ties as the Southeast Asian nation seeks more investment from its larger partner.
Indonesia firmly adheres to the one-China policy – a term used to describe opposition to any independence for Taiwan – Jokowi, as he’s known, was cited as saying in a readout from China’s state-run CCTV on Thursday (July 27).
Jokowi also said Indonesia is willing to keep boosting cooperation in areas including investment and food security, while further promoting the comprehensive strategic partnership, CCTV said.
The leaders met during a two-day visit by Jokowi to the southwestern Chinese city of Chengdu, ahead of the World University Games. The visit by Indonesia’s leader adds to a flurry of foreign dignitaries coming to see Xi so far in 2023.
“China and Indonesia have a high degree of compatibility and mutual-development opportunities,” Xi said.
“We are like-minded partners,” he said, adding that China supports Indonesia in developing its new capital city and is willing to expand cooperation in areas including new energy vehicles and smart cities.
China is Indonesia’s second-largest investor after Singapore, pouring in US$8.2 billion in 2022, mostly into developing the Southeast Asian nation’s nickel industry. Jakarta wants overseas investors – including Chinese – to build battery and electric-vehicle plants.
A top official from Indonesia has said he will meet China’s automaker BYD Co. to discuss EV investments.
Ahead of the meeting, Jokowi told reporters he would discuss investments, trade and several strategic projects between the nations. That may include the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway, part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, set to begin public trials next month. He also said he would bring up the South China Sea – where Indonesia has maritime border disputes with China.
The pair’s most recent face-to-face meeting was in November, on the sidelines of the Group of 20 gathering in Bali.
