简体中文
China and Indonesia's "Hands Closer Together" under the Belt and Road Initiative
China Daily, Brightnet, China Economic Times, Embassy in Indonesia
May 16, 2024
Preface:
Indonesia is the most populous and largest economy in ASEAN, and is also the first place of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. In recent years, China-Indonesia economic and trade exchanges have become closer.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Indonesia and the 10th anniversary of the "Belt and Road" initiative.
Under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, the two countries have carried out a wide range of cooperation in the areas of economy and trade, infrastructure, and humanistic exchanges, promoting connectivity and business development, and injecting impetus to the prosperity and stability of the Asia-Pacific region.
Yavan High Speed Railway
The "Golden Signboard" of China-Indonesia Cooperation in Building "Belt and Road"
On October 17, G1137 train departed from Halim Station in Jakarta, Indonesia, and the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway was officially opened for operation. The maximum operating speed of the train is 350 kilometers per hour, and the two places can be reached in 46 minutes at the soonest. This marks the entry of Indonesia into the era of high-speed rail and the significant landmark achievement of "One Belt, One Road" jointly built by Indonesia and China.
Yawang High Speed Railway is the first high-speed railroad in Indonesia and Southeast Asia, and is also the flagship project of China's "Belt and Road" Initiative and Indonesia's "Global Maritime Pivot" concept, as well as the practical cooperation between China and Indonesia, with the whole line adopting Chinese technology and Chinese standards.
After the opening of Yawang High Speed Railway, it has boosted the development of local tourism while boosting the development of new industries. This attracts many investors and tourists, which brings more job opportunities to local people, and also promotes economic cooperation and trade exchanges between China and Indonesia, and promotes mutual benefits and win-win situation for both economies.
Tens of billions of dollars in contracts
Indonesia and Chinese companies have signed several large cooperation contracts
According to The Jakarta Post, dozens of Indonesian and Chinese companies signed contracts worth tens of billions of dollars during the Belt and Road Summit Forum for International Cooperation. Among them, it is worth mentioning that Indonesian and Chinese companies will build a solar photovoltaic factory in Indonesia's Kendall Industrial Park in Central Java, worth $100 million, which will be the largest solar cell and panel factory in Indonesia.
In addition, on the afternoon of October 19, "China - Indonesia Economic, Trade and Investment Forum" was held at the Jakarta International Exhibition Hall Conference Center in Indonesia.
At the meeting, Widiyanoto Saputro, Deputy Chairman of the Industry Committee of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said in his speech that 2045 is the 100th anniversary of Indonesia's independence, and the Indonesian government plans to open a golden age of economic development in the next 22 years, expecting to make Indonesia one of the most important economies by actively promoting the sustained economic upturn. And during this period, it looks forward to realizing an innovative development model by working hand in hand with China so that the two economies can grow together.
US$50 billion - US$150 billion
Rising trade between the two sides over the past 10 years
Over the past 10 years, bilateral trade between the two countries has grown from US$50 billion in 2013 to US$150 billion in 2022, a nearly threefold increase, with China maintaining its position as Indonesia's largest trading partner for 10 consecutive years.
Over the past 10 years, China's investment in Indonesia has continued to expand, and has become the second largest source of foreign investment in Indonesia. in 2022, China's direct investment in Indonesia in various sectors reached $21.5 billion, accounting for a quarter of the total foreign investment attracted by Indonesia. If this trend continues, it is certain that China will become the largest contributor to FDI in Indonesia in the next year or two.
Over the past 10 years, China-Indonesia people-to-people exchanges have flourished, with Chinese tourists visiting Indonesia reaching 2.07 million in 2019, making China the main source of foreign tourists in Indonesia, according to the Indonesian side.
Over the past 10 years, infrastructure cooperation between the two countries has continued to make important progress, with China actively supporting President Joko's "maritime highway" initiative and participating in the construction of Indonesia's roads, railroads, ports and other strategic and major infrastructure projects.
Over the past 10 years, through increasingly convenient transportation and sales networks, Indonesian products have been further promoted in the Chinese market and warmly welcomed by Chinese consumers. With the support of the Digital Silk Road, cooperation between the two countries in emerging industries has continued to flourish. New industries such as e-commerce, shared mobility and Internet finance are growing rapidly, and high-tech products from Huawei, Xiaomi, Vivo, Oppo and other companies can be found everywhere in Indonesia.
Summary:
Indonesia is a regional power with rapid economic development and growing international influence, and has always been an important and priority position in China's neighboring diplomatic agenda. We have every reason to believe that the next 10 years of China-Indonesia comprehensive strategic partnership will be even better, and so will the next 10 years of China-Indonesia cooperation in building the "Belt and Road"!