China, Indonesia Hail 'win-win' Cooperation

The leaders of China and Indonesia pledged to scale up trade and expand cooperation in areas such as agriculture and food security, following a rare visit to China by a foreign head of state.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo met President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing on Tuesday. China last hosted foreign leaders during the Winter Olympics in February, with Russian President Vladimir Putin among those who visited Beijing.

The commitment by China, Indonesia's number-one trading partner, to deepen trade relations and fully back Indonesia's chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations next year is an economic and political win for Jokowi, as the Indonesian president is widely known.

China hailed Indonesia as a model strategic partner, in contrast to its sharp words for the United States in recent months over issues from Ukraine to trade practices and the South China Sea.

"[China and Indonesia] have acted proactively and with a strong sense of responsibility to maintain regional peace and stability," according to the joint statement.

"They have thus set an example of major developing countries seeking strength through unity and win-win cooperation."

Indonesia is an important source of ferronickel, coal, copper and natural gas for the world's second-largest economy.

In the first half of 2022, Chinese imports from Indonesia, mostly commodities, surged 34.2 percent on year.

Jokowi met Xi and Li at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, part of a sprawling complex of villas, lakes and gardens where many foreign leaders, including the late US President Richard Nixon, have been received.

The Indonesian president also formally invited Xi Jinping to the Group of 20 summit in Bali this fall.

“President Xi expressed his thanks and wished complete success for the summit,” broadcaster CCTV said, without giving further details. The summit is to be held on the Indonesian resort island on November 15-16. (Agencies)