Indonesia-China Cooperation Getting Tighter

Jakarta, InfoPublik - The Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia, Lu Kang, ensured that cooperation between China and Indonesia would be even stronger in various fields in 2023.

"Relations between China and Indonesia developed very well in 2022, especially in the second half, when the two heads of state visit each other," said Lu Kang in a written statement from the Chinese Embassy on Sunday, January 15.

In July 2022, President Joko Widodo visited China and in November 2022, President Xi Jinping visited Indonesia to attend the G20 Summit in Bali.

At that time, Indonesia became the first country visited by President Xi Jinping after the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party. The video for President Xi Jinping's 2023 New Year's greetings has a background in a bookshelf displaying a portrait of his work when he attended the G20 Summit in Bali.

"This shows that the visit is significant and meaningful," said Lu Kang.

China is Indonesia's largest trading partner, supplying many quality products, and Indonesia's largest export market destination.

Cooperation in the health sector includes the provision of the COVID-19 vaccine. China supports Indonesia in becoming the first country in Southeast Asia to have an mRNA vaccine production base.

In the transportation sector, the two countries successfully trialed the operation of the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train, which cut the trip duration from three hours to just a few tens of minutes.

Meanwhile, more than 300 units of Wuling electric cars have successfully supported Indonesia in reducing carbon emissions by up to 33 tons during the G20 Summit in Bali.

The Chinese Embassy also continues to optimize its visa policy to support economic activities recovery of the two countries and issues visas so that thousands of Indonesian students can study in China.

Quoting President Xi Jinping's speech at the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party, Lu Kang advised that the young generation of the two countries has strong determination and continues to strive for their goals in facing this new year.

"Happy new year. I wish health for all of us, happiness for you and your family, and success in studies and careers in this new year," he said.

Meanwhile, the celebration of Chinese New Year in Jakarta on Saturday, January 14, was attended by nearly 200 people from various fields and featured an artistic collaboration between the two countries by Chinese and Indonesian youths.

Chinese New Year celebration event in Jakarta on January 14, 2023. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)

Author: Eko Budiono

Editor: Taofiq Rauf

Translator: Wilda Stiana