Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, revealed the important role of maintaining relations with other countries in efforts to build the Indonesian economy. Including with the People’s Republic of China (China). According to him, the Indonesian economy is resilient in facing various global challenges to date, inseparable from the strategic partnership established with China.
“Supported by the rapid digital transformation globally, Indonesia and China have strengthened the economic development path of both countries. In addition to large investment projects, Chinese institutions have also long supported efforts to strengthen human resource development strategies in Indonesia, especially in developing skills that are in accordance with the needs of the new economy, namely the green and digital economy,” he said in a written statement, Friday (20/9/2024).
He conveyed this at the 75th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China, which was held in Jakarta, Thursday (19/9).
Airlangga said that China has become Indonesia’s partner in trade and investment. It is known that the total bilateral trade between China and Indonesia in 2023 was recorded at US$ 127.8 billion (excluding Hong Kong). In terms of regional cooperation mechanisms, he said, ASEAN and China are at the peak of their highest trade relations. Based on ASEAN statistics, in 2023, trade volume with China reached a new record of US$ 702 billion. This amount makes China ASEAN’s largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years.
Airlangga said the potential for growth in collaboration between Indonesia and China still has great potential. New opportunities emerge in the technology, environmentally friendly energy, digital economy, and innovation sectors. In addition to the Whoosh High-Speed Train which also drives economic growth by increasing connectivity, cooperation between the two countries in building Special Economic Zones is also worth considering. In addition, Airlangga also mentioned the progress of the Tsinghua Southeast Asia Center located in the Kura-Kura Special Economic Zone in Bali, which has been fully operational since its inauguration on November 16, 2022.
At the end of this month, The Tsinghua Southeast Asia Center together with the National Council of Special Economic Zones, the Bali Kura-Kura Special Economic Zone, and the Indonesian Institute of Engineers (PII), will hold a knowledge sharing and networking event in the artificial intelligence and semiconductor sectors. The event is considered to be able to facilitate and foster close collaboration between scholars and industry players from Indonesia and China.
“The partnership between Indonesia and China is complementary and mutually beneficial. I am sure that the next Indonesian government will be able to continue the achievements that have been achieved so as to further strengthen and revitalize the economies of each country,” said Coordinating Minister Airlangga.
Airlangga further said that Indonesia is the same as China, namely open to partnerships with all global countries and supports multilateralism. By strengthening cooperation, he believes that the two countries can build a beneficial partnership. Not only for each country, but also contributing to the global economy.
“On this good occasion, allow me on behalf of the Government and people of Indonesia to convey my deepest congratulations to the Government and people of China on the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China,” concluded Airlangga.
September 20, 2024, detikFinance
(https://finance.detik.com/berita-ekonomi-bisnis/d-7549102/airlangga-sebut-kerja-sama-ri-china-perkuat-ekonomi-kedua-negara)