Source : Perth Now news
China and Indonesia have agreed to boost military ties and to work closely on minerals, energy and technology, as Jakarta seeks to balance ties with both Beijing and Washington amid economic and geopolitical tensions, including in the South China Sea.
Both countries should “seize the moment”, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is visiting Jakarta with China’s defence minister to meet their counterparts, said in introductory remarks.
“The current international situation is intertwined and complex. Unilateralism and hegemonic acts bring serious impact on global co-operation and stability,” he said on Friday.
“China actively aims to build China-Indonesia co-operation at a high level.”.
The two countries pledged to co-operate across multiple areas – from artificial intelligence, defence and rail transport to green energy, satellites and fisheries.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has advocated maintaining Indonesia’s “free and active” foreign policy of non-alignment, vowing to befriend all countries including China and the United States, an important trade partner with which Jakarta’s defence ties are expanding.
Wang said both sides agreed to support each other’s core interests and would co-operate more in energy and mineral resources.
Resource-rich Indonesia has vast deposits of nickel, tin, copper, gold and bauxite and is the world’s largest exporter of palm oil and of thermal coal, with China among its top buyers.
China dominates investment in Indonesia’s nickel processing sector, but recent policy changes, including on exports and tighter mining quotas, have pushed some companies to seek alternatives in other places.
Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun was greeted on Friday by a military honour guard as he arrived for talks with his Indonesian counterpart Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin.
“The prospects for co-operation between the two militaries are broad, and that such co-operation is becoming higher in quality and more effective,” Dong said.
Sjafrie said there would be increased defence activities between their militaries, including joint exercises and officer exchanges, plus partnerships in the defence industry.
“This is a progressive step taken in the era of building Indonesia’s defence power at this moment and in the future,” he said.
