Indonesia and China are enhancing their economic cooperation, with bilateral trade escalating from around $8 billion to $154 billion. This increase highlights expanding collaborations in various sectors, including investment, technology, and sustainable development. Former Indonesian Ambassador to China, Sudrajat, noted this remarkable growth during a forum in Jakarta, stating that trade had reached $20 billion by 2010 before climbing to its current level. China has emerged as Indonesia’s largest trading partner, with similar growth in trade between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Sudrajat emphasized the importance of pairing stronger economic ties with closer people-to-people interactions and practical cooperation to benefit local communities. He singled out disaster management as a promising field for collaboration, given Indonesia’s vulnerability to natural disasters like floods, forest fires, earthquakes, and landslides. China’s expertise in disaster prevention and emergency response could significantly enhance Indonesia’s preparedness and response mechanisms.
Beyond trade and investment, the Indonesia-China partnership is diversifying into the digital economy, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and green development. Chinese media executive Guan Kejiang pointed to opportunities for aligning China’s development priorities with Indonesia’s Golden Indonesia 2045 Vision, which aims to transform Indonesia into a developed economy by its centenary. He also stressed the need for maintaining regional stability and international cooperation amid geopolitical tensions and rising protectionism, underscoring the enduring relevance of solidarity among developing nations, as seen in the 1955 Bandung Conference.
Chinese diplomat Zhou Kan described both Indonesia and China as influential developing economies and key members of the Global South, participating in international forums such as BRICS, the G20, and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). Zhou highlighted the development of bilateral relations through stronger political trust, deeper economic integration, and expanding cultural and people-to-people exchanges.
Indonesian investment adviser Noor Sona Maesana Mushonnif pointed out the contributions of the comprehensive strategic partnership to Indonesia’s mining, electric vehicle, and manufacturing sectors. He advocated for further cooperation in renewable energy, agriculture, maritime industries, and high-value-added manufacturing. These discussions reflect both nations’ interest in expanding their partnership beyond traditional trade, focusing on technology, sustainable growth, industrial development, and regional cooperation.
