China’s Li, Indonesia’s Prabowo hold talks
JAKARTA– Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto on Sunday to review means to broaden profession and investment amid the United States worldwide profession war and economic globalization facing headwinds. Li arrived in Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, on Saturday mid-day for a three-day visit to Southeast Asia’s biggest economy. It was the first stop of his first abroad visit this year. Indonesia and China are member-states of the Group of 20 and of Brics.
Li brought 60 Chinese prominent businesspeople for his address to the Indonesia-China Business Reception on Sunday evening. He highlighted in his remarks that China’s economy has achieved rapid growth this year despite increasing external challenges.
Global Situation and Historical Context
“The current global situation is a stalemate,” Li said at the event which was also attended by Subianto, “Unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise, bullying behavior is increasing.” Li noted that this year marks the 70th anniversary of the Non-Aligned Movement which was held by Asian and African countries in Indonesia’s Bandung city, when the world was at a historical crossroads more than seven decades ago. The Bandung spirit of solidarity, friendship, and cooperation has played a critical role in the unity and collaboration of the Global South countries, Li said.
“More than seven decades later, the world is once again at an important crossroads,” Li said. He called on all nations to seek common ground while resolving differences through dialogue and peaceful coexistence.
Economic Partnerships and Collaborations
Meanwhile, Prabowo expressed gratitude to the Chinese government and its firms “that have participated in our economy, created jobs, transferred technology, and built trust among all organizations, especially in our homeland.” Li mentioned that for nine consecutive years, China has been Indonesia’s largest trading partner, and its Belt and Road cooperation program has seen substantive progress, including nickel smelting plants and Whoosh, the commercial service of Southeast Asia’s first high-speed railway which has been operating since October 2023, carrying nearly 10 million passengers.
Indonesia aims for a more significant role in supplying nickel and other raw materials to China’s fast-growing electric vehicle manufacturers.
Upcoming Engagements
On Sunday, Subianto hosted Li in an event at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta. Li is also scheduled to meet with Indonesian parliament members on Sunday. He will head to Malaysia on Monday where he and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim will address the Asean-GCC-China Economic Summit, attended by leaders from Southeast Asian countries and the Gulf Cooperation Council.
