Editor's note: Decision Makers is a global platform for influential leaders to share their insights on events shaping today's world. Lu Kang is the ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Indonesia. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

Time rolls on just like the flow of water. On February 22, 2022, I came to the "nation of archipelago" as the Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia on a glorious mission entrusted by my government. In the blink of an eye, the time has come for me to bid farewell.

In the past two years, I traveled around Java, and set foot on the islands of Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Bali, and West and East Nusa Tenggara. From the sapphire-blue sky and sea of Bali to the emerald-green mountain and water of Lake Toba, from the Komodo dragon to the orangutan, from the Mahayana reliefs of Borobudur to the statue of Zheng He in Semarang, I have been deeply impressed by Indonesia's wonderful scenery, diverse and inclusive culture, kind-hearted and hospitable people, and the vibrant society.

The past two years have been rewarding. Together with Indonesian friends from all walks of life, I have made efforts to implement the important consensus reached by Chinese and Indonesian leaders to deepen synergy in development strategy, promote practical cooperation, and expand exchanges and mutual learning. China-Indonesia relations make great strides forward, delivering fruitful outcomes from cooperation.

Both as important developing countries and emerging economies, our two countries share similar goals, uphold mutual respect, and strive for mutual benefit from each other's comparative strengths. We work hand in hand on the path toward modernization and bring tangible benefits to our two peoples. The giant ship of the China-Indonesia community with a shared future is setting sail for a new journey.

I am pleased to see that under the strategic guidance of our two presidents, China-Indonesia relations are at a historical high. In the past two years, Chinese President Xi Jinping made the first overseas visit to Indonesia after the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. Indonesian President Joko Widodo visited China three times, and President-elect Prabowo Subianto made his first visit to China soon after the election.

I am pleased to see that our two presidents have charted the course of jointly building the China-Indonesia community with a shared future, and reached new important consensus on turning the vision into a reality. Our two sides make full use of High-level Dialogue and Cooperation Mechanism to promote practical cooperation in all areas. The 2+2 Dialogue Mechanism for Foreign Ministers and Defense Ministers is in place and will set to inject new momentum into our comprehensive strategic partnership.

I am pleased to see that our two countries have become the pacesetter of successful Belt and Road cooperation based on the principle of designing together, building together and benefiting together. The Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway (HSR) makes Indonesia the only country besides China to have a 350-km/h railway.

The HSR does not only shorten the time of travel, but also helps upgrade the industrial structure and empower economic development along the route. The Regional Comprehensive Economic Corridor and the "Two Countries, Twin Parks" move forward steadily and are expected to become new flagship projects of our Belt and Road cooperation.

I am pleased to see that our two-way trade is over $100 billion every year. China has been Indonesia's largest trading partner for 11 consecutive years and among Indonesia's top three sources of foreign investment for eight years in a row. Our industrial and supply chain cooperation develops by leaps and bounds, a success for both sides.

I am pleased to see the increasing number of flights and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries in the post-COVID-19 era. Indonesian students return to campus in China. The performance of the folk music ensemble and China's Xinjiang Art Theater Muqam Art Troupe amazed Indonesian friends. Delegations of Indonesian religious community paid visits to China. Chinese language training courses are now open in Istiqlal Mosque.

China-Indonesia joint scientific expedition sets Indonesia's deepest dive record. Indonesia is one of the first destinations for China to resume outbound group tours after the pandemic. In 2023, 707,000 Chinese tourists came to Indonesia to enjoy sea views, volcano trekking and delicious food.

I am pleased to see that our two countries work together closely on international and regional issues with similar positions. In the past two years, Indonesia successfully hosted The 17th Group of 20 (G20) Summit and leaders' meetings on East Asia cooperation as the chair of the G20 and ASEAN. China fully supports Indonesia in fulfilling its duties. China appreciates Indonesia's support for Global Development Initiative and its positive response to Global Security Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative, and is ready to work with Indonesia to take the initiatives forward.

Changes of the world, of our times, and of historical significance are unfolding like never before, and the world has entered a new period with turbulence and transformation. Yet the overall direction of human development and progress will not change, the overall dynamics of world history moving forward amid twists and turns will not change, and the overall trend toward a shared future for the international community will not change.

As long as China and Indonesia focus on building a global community of shared future, continue to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, call for an equal and orderly multi-polar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, respond to global challenges together, and strive to achieve common prosperity, the bilateral relations will surely get better day by day, our respective development goals will surely be achieved, and we will surely have an even brighter future.

As an Indonesian proverb goes, "money is easy to get, but friends are hard to find." I am glad that in the past two years, I have had the opportunity to get to know friends from the Indonesian government, political parties, parliament, business, religious and overseas Chinese communities, think tanks and media, other diplomatic missions in Indonesia, and Chinese entrepreneurs, press, and teachers. Thank you all for your valuable contributions to China-Indonesia relations and strong support for the work of the Chinese Embassy in Indonesia, and myself in particular.

Words are never enough for bidding farewell. I will start a new journey with beautiful memories and deep friendship from Indonesia. And I will continue to follow the development of China-Indonesia relations and be an envoy of friendship between our two countries.

May China and Indonesia enjoy prosperity and the people happiness! May China-Indonesia relations reach greater heights! May all our Indonesian friends enjoy good health!

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at opinions@cgtn.com. Follow @thouse_opinions on X, formerly Twitter, to discover the latest commentaries in the CGTN Opinion Section.)