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China-Indonesia ties: A new era of cooperation and mutual prosperity
Chinese Premier Li Qiang holds talks with Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Jakarta, Indonesia, September 8, 2023. /Xinhua
Chinese Premier Li Qiang holds talks with Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Jakarta, Indonesia, September 8, 2023. /Xinhua

Chinese Premier Li Qiang holds talks with Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Jakarta, Indonesia, September 8, 2023. /Xinhua

Editor's note: Xin Ge, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is an associate professor at the School of Public Economics and Administration, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang commenced an official visit on September 5 to Indonesia, where he also attended the 26th China-ASEAN Summit, the 26th ASEAN Plus Three Summit and the 18th East Asia Summit.

During this visit, Premier Li took a test ride aboard the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway (HSR) on September 6 and engaged in an official dialogue with Indonesian President Joko Widodo on September 8.

This Jakarta-Bandung HSR is the first such line in Southeast Asia. Stretching over 142.3 kilometers (km) with a remarkable design speed of 350km/h, the HSR significantly reduced the travel time between Jakarta, the capital city, and Bandung, Indonesia's fourth-largest urban center, from over three hours to a mere 40 minutes. As a prominent undertaking within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), this landmark project serves as an exemplification of the fruitful bilateral cooperation between China and Indonesia.

As Premier Li said, the advent of the HSR represents a pathway towards integration, openness, and common prosperity. The railway system not only diminishes the temporal and spatial gaps between cities but also galvanizes enhancements and advancements in industrial structure, invigorating economic progress along its course.

Similarly, the Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia, Lu Kang, also expressed his belief that the HSR will evolve into a conduit for development and upliftment, greatly influencing people's livelihoods and paving the way for mutually beneficial outcomes.

During the meeting with Indonesian President Widodo, the Chinese Premier offered three suggestions aimed at fostering deeper cooperation and collaboration between the two nations.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang holds talks with Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Jakarta, Indonesia, September 8, 2023. /Xinhua
Chinese Premier Li Qiang holds talks with Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Jakarta, Indonesia, September 8, 2023. /Xinhua

Chinese Premier Li Qiang holds talks with Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Jakarta, Indonesia, September 8, 2023. /Xinhua

To begin with, he advocated for the consolidation of strategic mutual trust, laying the groundwork for a robust political foundation that would support their joint efforts in building a community with a shared future.

The two countries should increase mutual support on issues pertaining to each other's core interests and major concerns, collectively tackle diverse risks and challenges, consistently expand exchanges across all levels, effectively utilize mechanisms such as high-level dialogue, and mutually learn from one another. Through these measures, both can advance hand in hand towards national modernization, promoting and uplifting each other in the process.

Furthermore, China and Indonesia should continue to expand pragmatic cooperation and deepen their mutual interests. China is willing to work with Indonesia to make every effort to make preparations for the official operation of the Jakarta-Bandung HSR and build the Regional Comprehensive Economic Corridor (RCEP) and "Two Countries' Twin Parks" as prominent flagship initiatives within the framework of the joint construction under the BRI.

China is keen on working with Indonesia to implement the RCEP agreement with high quality. Efforts will also be made to boost Indonesia's imports of bulk commodities and premium agricultural and fishery products, while also encouraging Chinese enterprises to invest in Indonesia.

China will also actively support the construction of Indonesia's new capital and accelerate the cultivation of "new engines" of cooperation with Indonesia such as the digital economy and green development, and further strengthen exchanges and cooperation across various sectors including agriculture, medicine and health, youth affairs, education, culture and tourism.

Lastly, to forge close multilateral cooperation. The two countries should be dedicated to upholding the spirit of Bandung, adhering to genuine multilateralism, and promoting the development of global governance in a more just and equitable direction.

That's also one of the central messages underscored by Premier Li during his interactions with ASEAN leaders. "What is essential now is to oppose picking sides, oppose bloc confrontation and oppose a new cold war, ensure that disagreements and disputes among countries are properly handled…. As long as we keep to the right path, no matter what storm may come, China-ASEAN cooperation will be as firm as ever and press ahead against all odds."

China is ready to work with Indonesia to implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative at the bilateral, regional and multilateral levels.

More than a month ago, Chinese President Xi Jinping met President Widodo in Chengdu, during which they achieved a momentous consensus on envisioning a "tangible picture" of a community with a shared future between China and Indonesia.

This subsequent visit of Premier Li to Indonesia is a pivotal step towards the synchronization of development strategies, fostering mutual advancement of the two countries, and instilling sustainable momentum into regional stability and prosperity.

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