TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - China aims to significantly enhance its relationship with Indonesia, and the 5th Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) meeting in Beijing will serve as a platform to realize this goal.

"This week, Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi will co-chair the 5th China-Indonesia JCBC. We hope that China-Indonesia relations are increasingly growing at a high level with greater strategic significance,” stated Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning at a press conference in Beijing on Thursday, August 22, 2024.

The meeting between Foreign Minister Retno and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is scheduled for Friday, August 23, 2024. China-Indonesia relations have witnessed strong momentum, characterized by frequent high-level exchanges, deepening mutual trust, and ongoing progress toward building a shared future community.

Prior to Retno's visit to Beijing, a two-plus-two meeting was held on August 13, 2024, involving senior officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense of both countries.

The meeting was attended by Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong and Deputy Director of the Office of International Military Cooperation of the Central Military Commission Zhang Baoqun, while from the Indonesian side, there were the Director General of Asia Pacific and Africa of the Foreign Affairs Ministry Abdul Kadir Jailani and Secretary of the Directorate General of Defense Strategy of the Defense Ministry Oktaheroe Ramsi.

“Next year marks the 80th anniversary of Indonesia’s independence and the 75th anniversary of China-Indonesia diplomatic ties. This presents important opportunities for our two countries’ respective growth and bilateral relations,” Mao Ning added.

China, according to Mao Ning, adheres to the strategic direction set by the presidents of both countries, focusing on building a shared future community and deepening strategic cooperation in all areas with Indonesia. The two countries can serve as models for major developing nations by leveraging their respective strengths through unity and mutually beneficial cooperation to bring greater benefits to both nations.

The 4th Indonesia-China JCBC took place in Jakarta on February 22, 2023, bringing together Foreign Minister Retno and Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang. During that meeting, Retno expressed Indonesia's desire to address various trade barriers.

Indonesia is also committed to expanding investment cooperation with China, recognizing Beijing as its second-largest investor last year. According to the Indonesia Investment Promotion Center (IIPC), China is Indonesia's third-largest investment partner.

ANTARA

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