TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said the Indonesian government has been fighting alongside China against the Covid-19 pandemic. They collaborated to meet the needs for containing the pandemic since the onset of the virus spread.

“Since the beginning, Indonesia and China have been struggling together (to overcome it). President Xi Jinping and State Councilor Wang Yi have secured the vaccine supply for Indonesia and declared Indonesia as a regional vaccine production center,” said Luhut in his statement on Thursday, July 15.

Indonesia has signed a deal with China for the supply of the Sinovac vaccine used in the free vaccination programs and procurement of the Sinopharm vaccine used in the Gotong Royong private vaccination program.

Recently, Luhut said the Chinese government provided medical equipment and vaccines to Indonesia worth US$7.8 million amid the soaring Covid cases. In addition, the Fujian Provincial Government planned to donate US$465,000 to Indonesia. The aid was in the form of liquid oxygen, ISO Tanks, oxygen regulator cylinders, oxygen concentrators, oxygen generators, and antiviral drugs for the Covid-19 treatment.

“Representing the Indonesian government and all Indonesian people, I’d like to express my deepest gratitude and appreciation for continuous support from the Chinese government,” said Luhut.

He went on to say that Indonesia would ensure the investment and business climate in the archipelago for China despite the skyrocketing Covid-19 trend.

Read: Luhut to Ask China, Singapore Help for Covid; Expert Asks Not to Delay

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA