Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on Sunday to explore new avenues for trade and investment cooperation, amid ongoing global trade tensions and increasing challenges to economic globalization.
Li arrived in Jakarta on Saturday afternoon, marking the beginning of his three-day visit to Southeast Asia’s largest economy. This trip is also his first overseas tour of the year. Both China and Indonesia are part of influential international blocs such as the G20 and BRICS, underlining the importance of their growing economic partnership.
To further strengthen business ties, Li was accompanied by a delegation of 60 prominent Chinese business leaders. Speaking at the Indonesia-China Business Reception on Saturday evening—an event also attended by President Subianto—Li highlighted China’s economic resilience despite rising global challenges. He criticized the growing trends of unilateralism and protectionism, warning of increasing “bullying behavior” in international affairs.
Li also reflected on the 70th anniversary of the Non-Aligned Movement, originally conceptualized in Bandung, Indonesia. He praised the enduring “Bandung spirit” of unity and cooperation among countries of the Global South, noting its renewed relevance in today’s uncertain geopolitical climate. He urged all nations to resolve differences through dialogue and to promote peaceful coexistence.
President Subianto thanked China for its economic contributions to Indonesia, including job creation, technology transfer, and trust-building. He welcomed more Chinese investment, highlighting that bilateral trade reached $147.8 billion in the previous year, marking a 6.1% increase.
China has remained Indonesia’s top trading partner for nine consecutive years. Significant progress has been made under the Belt and Road Initiative, including the development of nickel smelting facilities and the launch of “Whoosh,” Southeast Asia’s first high-speed rail line, which began commercial operations in October 2023 and has since transported nearly 10 million passengers.
Indonesia is keen on expanding its role as a key supplier of nickel and other raw materials to support China’s rapidly expanding electric vehicle industry.
On Sunday, Premier Li was officially welcomed at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, followed by a closed-door bilateral meeting with President Subianto. During the talks, Li stressed the importance of maintaining peace and development in a turbulent international landscape and emphasized deepening the China-Indonesia partnership, especially across five core areas: politics, the economy, maritime cooperation, security, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges.
Li’s previous visit to Jakarta in September 2023 led to $21.7 billion in new Chinese investments, building on a prior commitment of $44.89 billion announced during a meeting between former President Joko Widodo and Chinese President Xi Jinping in July 2023. The leaders also witnessed the signing of several agreements to enhance cooperation in areas like local currency trade, tourism, agriculture, health, and investment.
President Subianto reaffirmed the close historical ties between the two nations and emphasized that they are at a pivotal point in their relationship. He expressed confidence that strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership would benefit not only both countries but the broader Asian region as well.
Rosan Roeslani, Indonesia’s Minister of Investment and Downstream Industry, stated that Premier Li’s visit opens up practical opportunities for collaboration, including the execution of a previously agreed $10 billion investment package. This funding will support several key sectors such as industrial clusters, transportation, mineral processing, and chemicals.
Li is scheduled to meet with members of Indonesia’s parliament later on Sunday. On Monday, he will continue his regional tour with a visit to Malaysia, where he and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim will address the ASEAN-GCC-China Economic Summit alongside other leaders from Southeast Asia and the Gulf region.
