Indonesia and China Join Hands to Usher in a New Chapter of Cooperation: 75 Years of Friendship Pave the Way for Development

On December 19, 2025, the Millennium Hotel Beijing was illuminated with vibrant lights as the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in China hosted the event “Indonesia Updates: Strengthening Connections, Welcoming New Chapters.” Government officials, business leaders, education professionals, and media representatives from both China and Indonesia gathered to mark the occasion.

Set against a backdrop of captivating cultural performances and distinctive Indonesian cuisine, the event highlighted the continued deepening of bilateral relations. Participants reflected on 75 years of friendship between the two countries and engaged in discussions on emerging opportunities and new directions for future cooperation.

At the opening of the event, Indonesian Ambassador to China Djauhari Oratmangun delivered a keynote speech themed “Friendship Beyond Formalities,” in which he reflected on the deep roots of China–Indonesia relations forged over 75 years of diplomatic ties. He noted that 2025 marks a milestone for both countries: Indonesia has ushered in a new government, injecting fresh momentum into its “Golden Indonesia 2045” vision, while China, through its National Two Sessions, has sent strong signals of deepening integration and expanding domestic demand.

Against a backdrop of growing global economic uncertainty and ongoing supply chain realignments, the strategic alignment and joint advancement of China and Indonesia are not only a natural continuation of their shared history, but also a practical necessity for sustainable development.

Ambassador Djauhari Oratmangun illustrated the tangible outcomes of bilateral cooperation with concrete data. In the first three quarters of 2025, bilateral trade between China and Indonesia reached USD 120.5 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 14.2 percent, while investment flows totaled USD 4.2 billion, up 13.5 percent year on year.

He further emphasized the strong complementarity between China’s development trajectory and Indonesia’s natural advantages. China’s drive for innovation aligns with Indonesia’s vast market of 280 million people, including a growing middle class of 48 million consumers. As China accelerates its green transformation, Indonesia—home to the world’s largest nickel reserves and approximately 40 percent of global geothermal resource potential—is well positioned to supply critical minerals and renewable energy resources. Meanwhile, as China expands its digital frontiers, Indonesia’s highly connected society, powered by 60 million young people, is set to become a key pillar of digital economy cooperation.

“This structural alignment has emerged naturally and provides a solid foundation for our shared growth,” the ambassador noted, drawing enthusiastic applause from the audience.

Subsequently, representatives of the Indonesian Embassy in China provided a comprehensive overview of Indonesia’s investment environment and China–Indonesia cooperation opportunities through a combination of presentations, text, and visual displays. From January to September 2025, Indonesia’s realized investment reached 1,434.3 trillion Indonesian rupiahs, representing a 13.7 percent year-on-year increase. Notably, 51.7 percent of this investment was directed outside Java, reflecting a positive trend toward more balanced national development.

As a key investment destination, Indonesia’s manufacturing sector has seen particularly strong growth. Between 2020 and 2024, realized foreign direct investment in manufacturing rose from USD 8.26 billion to USD 17.14 billion, with industries such as food and beverages, metals and non-machinery, and chemicals and pharmaceuticals emerging as major investment hotspots. These figures offered clear guidance and confidence to Chinese enterprises in attendance.

Bilateral trade cooperation has also continued to expand, particularly in agricultural products. Trade in items such as fresh coconuts and frozen durian has been successfully implemented. On December 15, 2025, 48 tons of frozen durian were exported to China, with eight Indonesian companies completing the relevant registration procedures. In addition, cooperation protocols covering products such as fish meal, fish oil, and captive-bred monkeys have entered their final stages.

Looking ahead, the digital economy, infrastructure development, industrial downstreaming, and food security are expected to become key areas for the further expansion of bilateral cooperation.

At the conclusion of the event, Dr. Irene, the newly appointed Deputy Ambassador of Indonesia to China, took the stage to deliver a speech. Having previously studied in China, she fondly recalled her deep and enduring ties with the country, noting that her return to China in this new role is both a great responsibility and a profound honor.

Quoting the Indonesian national motto “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika” (Unity in Diversity) alongside the Chinese concept of “Harmony without Uniformity,” Dr. Irene underscored the importance of building a principled, mutually respectful, and future-oriented partnership while preserving each country’s unique characteristics. She emphasized that, in her capacity as Deputy Ambassador, she will actively advance cooperation in economic, cultural, educational, and other fields, while also enhancing consular services for Indonesian citizens in China—making the embassy a “warm home” for all Indonesians.

Finally, Ms. Nadia T. X. Sumampouw, Minister-Counsellor of the Indonesian Embassy in China, delivered a farewell address, warmly recalling her nearly decade-long dedication to advancing China–Indonesia relations. She emphasized that the essence of economic diplomacy lies in building trust and ensuring continuity, and praised the substantial progress achieved in bilateral trade, investment, and other areas. In this context, she highlighted the impressive figures recorded in the first three quarters of 2025, with bilateral trade reaching USD 120.5 billion and investment totaling USD 4.2 billion.

Ms. Sumampouw also shared the diplomatic philosophy of “Friendship Beyond Formalities,” encouraging both countries to seize the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties as an opportunity to shape a future of shared growth and mutual prosperity. She concluded her remarks with a farewell poem, expressing her deep affection and best wishes for the enduring friendship between China and Indonesia.

The vision of “intensifying mutually beneficial cooperation and achieving high-quality economic collaboration,” proposed by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto during his visit to China in September 2025, was fully echoed throughout the event. From high-level exchanges to people-to-people interactions, and from economic and trade cooperation to cultural and educational engagement, China and Indonesia are advancing comprehensive strategic alignment, taking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations as a new starting point.

As Ambassador Djauhari Oratmangun concluded, “We are not merely sustaining our relationship; we are shaping the future together—a future of shared growth for both nations.”

This event was not only a vivid demonstration of the enduring friendship between China and Indonesia, but also a pragmatic platform for advancing bilateral cooperation. Amid ongoing global economic uncertainties, the two countries—grounded in 75 years of friendship and strengthened by strategic complementarity—are continuing to deepen collaboration across economic, trade, investment, education, and other fields. Such cooperation will deliver tangible benefits to the peoples of both nations, while also injecting strong momentum into regional stability and global economic recovery.

Looking ahead, as more cooperative initiatives are implemented and take root, the China–Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is poised to flourish with renewed vitality and even greater promise.