On April 10th, Ambassador Wang Lutong published a signed article titled “Striving to Write a New Chapter of Comprehensive Strategic Cooperation Between China and Indonesia” in the special economic and trade supplement of the International Business Daily, which is part of the Ministry of Commerce, celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Indonesia. The full text is as follows:
Striving to Write a New Chapter of Comprehensive Strategic Cooperation Between China and Indonesia
By Wang Lutong, Ambassador of China to Indonesia
The year 2025 marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Indonesia. Under the strategic guidance of the leaders of both countries, the bilateral relationship between China and Indonesia has continued to operate at a high level, entering a new stage of building a community with a shared future, and writing a new chapter of joint strength, unity, cooperation, and mutual benefit among developing powers.
Continuously Enhancing Political Mutual Trust and Consolidating the Strategic Foundation of Bilateral Relations
In 2005, China and Indonesia established a strategic partnership, which was upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2013. In November 2024, both sides decided to build a comprehensive strategic partnership with exemplary and leading roles, and to construct a China-Indonesia community with shared future that has regional and global influence, elevating the relationship between the two countries to a new height. The high level of political mutual trust has set an example of mutual respect among developing powers.
Continuing Traditional Friendship. Indonesia is one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with the new China. Over the past 75 years, the relationship between China and Indonesia has experienced ups and downs, witnessing the blooming of spring and the harvest of autumn. The wheel of friendship has always moved forward against the waves, and the bilateral relationship has maintained a strong momentum of development.
Close High-Level Exchanges. In recent years, the two countries have continuously deepened their strategic cooperation, with frequent meetings between the leaders. Especially after President Prabowo was officially inaugurated last year and chose China as his first visit country, it reflected the high level and strategic nature of the relationship between the two countries, and the bilateral relationship has continued to upgrade. Exchanges between the two countries’ governments, parliaments, political parties, and localities are thriving, continuously expanding the level of strategic communication and policy exchanges between the two countries.
Mutual Support for Development Visions. China and Indonesia are committed to the great cause of modernization and national rejuvenation. Both sides are actively promoting the in-depth integration of Chinese-style modernization with the “Golden Indonesia 2045” vision, helping and achieving each other on the development path that suits their national conditions.
Jointly Promoting Three Major Initiatives. Indonesia actively supports the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping. Both sides will carry out in-depth cooperation at the bilateral and multilateral levels to promote the three major global initiatives.
Deepening Practical Cooperation to Promote Common Development and Prosperity
In November 2024, the two countries issued a Joint Statement, proposing to further improve the strategic cooperation layout, upgrading the bilateral strategic cooperation from the “four-wheel drive” to the “five pillars” of political, economic, cultural, maritime, and security cooperation. All-round practical cooperation has set a benchmark for the common development of emerging economies.
Deepening the Integration of Development Strategies. Indonesia is the first to advocate the “21st Century Maritime Silk Road”. In recent years, both sides have vigorously promoted the in-depth integration of China’s “Belt and Road” initiative with Indonesia’s “Global Maritime Fulfillment” strategy, promoting integrated and coordinated development, and building a closer China-Indonesia industrial and supply chain cooperation system, with in-depth practical cooperation in various fields.
Upgrading Economic and Trade Cooperation. China has been Indonesia’s largest trading partner for 12 consecutive years and has been among the top three sources of investment in Indonesia for nine consecutive years. A large number of landmark projects and “small and beautiful” livelihood projects of Chinese enterprises in Indonesia’s agriculture, infrastructure, manufacturing, industrial parks, energy, and mining have been launched, creating a large number of jobs and taxes, promoting economic development and improving people’s livelihoods, bringing tangible benefits to the local people.
Accelerating Key Projects. The Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway, as a flagship project of high-quality joint construction of the “Belt and Road”, has become the “golden signboard” of mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Indonesia. Since its opening, the high-speed railway has transported more than 8 million passengers, providing new momentum for regional economic development in Indonesia. The “Two Countries and Two Parks” construction has made substantial progress. In March 2025, the Batang Industrial Park, an important part of the “Two Countries and Two Parks”, was upgraded to an economic special zone in Indonesia. President Prabowo personally unveiled it and hoped to make it “Shenzhen of Indonesia”. The “Regional Comprehensive Economic Corridor” cooperation has been successfully implemented.
Emerging Field Cooperation is Thriving. The two countries are actively cultivating new drivers of cooperation in the digital economy, green economy, and blue economy. Strengthening cooperation in poverty alleviation, agriculture and rural revitalization, and joint maritime development to continuously improve the welfare of the people of both countries.
Joining Hands to Meet Common Challenges. The two countries have closely cooperated in international and regional affairs, jointly playing a constructive role in regional and international organizations such as China-ASEAN cooperation, BRICS cooperation, and the World Trade Organization (WTO), promoting peace and development, safeguarding fairness and justice, and actively responding to global challenges such as climate change, food security, and energy security.
China and Indonesia are both major developing countries, emerging market countries, and main forces of the “Global South”. The two countries have similar development stages, connected common interests, shared concepts and paths, and related future and destiny. The development of the relationship between the two countries has significant strategic significance and far-reaching global impact.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Indonesia, as well as the 70th anniversary of the Bandung Conference and the 620th anniversary of Zheng He’s voyages to the Western Seas. China is willing to work with Indonesia to continue to promote the spirit of “Bandung” characterized by unity, friendship, and cooperation, as well as the spirit of the “Silk Road” characterized by peaceful cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning, and mutual benefit. We will further strengthen strategic cooperation and build a community with shared future that has regional and global influence, so that the fruits of development will benefit more people of the two countries, and benefit regional and even world peace and development, striving to write a new chapter of comprehensive strategic cooperation between China and Indonesia.
Source: Embassy of China in Indonesia
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2. Cost Lock-in
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