Jokowi Discusses Economic Cooperation, Middle East Conflict with China's Wang Yi
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18 April 2024 13:55 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo or Jokowi delivered three messages when receiving the visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Thursday morning, April 18, 2024.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi explained the first message conveyed by Jokowi regarding the importance of the two countries increasing mutually beneficial economic cooperation. Jokowi highlighted that the trade between China and Indonesia continues to develop, rising to US$127 billion.
China is also one of the largest foreign investors in Indonesia, with a 2023 investment value of up to US$7.4 billion.
"So it is very much more balanced in terms of bilateral trade between the two countries," said Retno in a statement after accompanying Jokowi to meet Wang Yi.
In the economic sector, Retno said that Jokowi hopes China will continue to open market access for Indonesian products, increase transportation cooperation such as high-speed trains, and invest in petrochemical plants in North Kalimantan.
Retno said the second message Jokowi conveyed to Wang concerned the issue of food security. Indonesia considers agricultural cooperation between the two countries necessary to improve, including rice, horticulture, and durian.
The last message conveyed by the President was regarding the situation in the Middle East. Jokowi said that no party wants to see an escalation.
"And Mr. President (Jokowi) said that Indonesia continues to carry out diplomatic communications with various parties including Iran and the United States," said Retno.
Wang Yi will discuss in detail the agreement to strengthen economic cooperation between China and Indonesia with Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan and Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, on Friday, April 19, 2024.
DANIEL A. FAJRI
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