President Joko Widodo’s visit to China was aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries and, in accordance with Indonesia’s “free-and-active” foreign policy, ensuring the success of the G20 Summit
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MAWAR KUSUMA WULAN, NINA SUSILO, LARASWATI ARIADNE ANWAR, LUKI AULIA
·4 minutes read
LAILY RACHEV - BIRO PERS SEKRETARIAT PRESIDEN
President Joko Widodo accompanied by first lady Iriana Joko Widodo left for Beijing, the People's Republic of China (PRC) on Monday, July 25, 2022, to begin a series of foreign visits to three countries in the the East Asia region..
BEIJING, KOMPAS – The red-and-white flag waves alongside the Chinese flag in several corners of Tiananmen Square, Beijing, on Monday (25/7/2022). Amid the implementation of strict Covid-19 prevention and control protocols, President Jokowi arrived to visit the president of China -- a rare occurrence since the Covid-19 pandemic began.
China is the first stop on President Jokowi’s tour around East Asia from 25-19 July. He is scheduled to meet with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang this Tuesday. From China, President Jokowi will continue his trip to Japan and South Korea.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said President Jokowi was the first foreign head of state to visit China after the Olympic Winter Games held in Beijing in February 2022. According to Wang, this reflects the importance of China-Indonesia bilateral relations.
Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno LP Marsudi said President Jokowi’s visit to China was aimed at strengthening economic-cooperation relations, especially in trade and investment. The President will also discuss several important domestic and international issues, including the G20 Summit.
As Southeast Asia’s largest economy, said Retno, Indonesia shoulders the responsibility to contribute to efforts in making Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific region peaceful, stable and prosperous. “In a world filled with unhealthy rivalries and dwindling values of multilateralism, Indonesia will have to be more proactive in establishing cooperation and spreading the spirit of solidarity and peace,” said Retno.
Xi Jinping’s attendance at the G20 Summit
President Jokowi’s visit to China comes less than a month after the President’s visit to Ukraine and Russia. This visit is equally meaningful for both Indonesia and China. For Indonesia, apart from strengthening bilateral relations, the President’s visit is also part of his diplomacy to ensure the success of the G20 Summit in November.
Veronika Saraswati, a researcher at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), said that President Jokowi is believed to be sending President Xi Jinping a direct invitation to attend the G20 Summit in Bali. President Jokowi also invited Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during visits to their respective countries.
“Xi Jinping’s attendance is highly anticipated and will give important weight to the success of the [G20] Summit,” said Veronika.
LUKAS - BIRO PERS SEKRETARIAT PRESIDEN
President Joko Widodo accompanied by first lady Iriana Joko Widodo left for Beijing, the People's Republic of China (PRC) on Monday, July 25, 2022, to begin a series of foreign visits to three countries in the East Asia region. Vice President Ma'ruf Amin releases President Jokowi's departure at the airport.
According to Binus University international relations department head, Rangga Aditya Elias, who is also chairman of this year’s G20, Indonesia is obligated to ensure coordination among all G20 members runs smoothly. Currently, the G20 is seeing turmoil due to the Russia-Ukraine war. Jokowi’s visit reflects Indonesia’s professionalism as president of the G20 and also what free and active politics looks like.
“After visiting Ukraine and Russia, it is natural for Indonesia to approach China considering that China-Russia relations are very close. Indonesia must take every opportunity to accelerate and strengthen the chances of peaceful dialogue,” said Rangga.
After visiting Ukraine and Russia, it is natural for Indonesia to approach China considering that China-Russia relations are very close.
For China, welcoming President Jokowi’s arrival is also important to demonstrate Beijing’s commitment to the G20. President Xi Jinping has not left China since 18 January 2020, prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, on a visit to Myanmar.
“I think Xi Jinping will want to attend the G20 summit once he secures his third term and maintains a strong political position,” said Bonnie Glaser, Asia Program director at the German Marshall Fund, the United States.
Strengthening bilateral relations
In terms of bilateral relations, for Indonesia, China is the third-largest investor after Singapore and Hong Kong. In the first quarter of 2022, during the Covid-19 pandemic, Chinese investment in Indonesia amounted to US$1.4 billion, an increase of 40 percent compared to the same period last year. In terms of trade, the total trade value between Indonesia and China amounted to $124.3 billion in 2021, up 58.4 percent from the previous year.
“We hope to strengthen strategic and mutual trust and further cooperation to create mutually beneficial models and outcomes for developing countries, especially in this new era,” said Wang, a spokesman for China’s Foreign Affairs Ministry. He also expressed China’s support for Indonesia’s G20 presidency.
Indonesia is also China’s third-largest trading partner among ASEAN members, after Vietnam and Malaysia. “This can occur because of an increase in exports and good cooperation, especially in terms of ease of investment. Products that have entered China over the past two years have increased by almost 100 percent,” said Indonesian Ambassador to China Djauhari Oratmangun.
In a statement from the Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry, Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia Lu Kang said that the China-Indonesia meeting provided strategic guidance and a strong impetus for the development of bilateral relations. (AP/WKM/INA/DNE)
