JAKARTA, Indonesia, MAY 25 (V7N) – Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on Sunday, focusing on strategies to expand trade and investment between their nations. The discussions come amidst a global trade landscape marked by a U.S. global trade war and increasing headwinds against economic globalization.

Premier Li arrived in Jakarta on Saturday afternoon for a three-day visit, marking his first overseas trip of the year and his initial stop in Southeast Asia's largest economy. Both Indonesia and China are members of the Group of 20 major developing countries and emerging economies, as well as the BRICS bloc.

Addressing the Indonesia-China Business Reception on Sunday evening, Li, who was accompanied by 60 prominent Chinese businesspeople, emphasized China's rapid economic growth this year despite mounting external challenges. "The current international situation is a stalemate," Li stated at the event, also attended by President Subianto, adding that "Unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise, bullying behavior is increasing."

Li drew a parallel to the 70th anniversary of the Non-Aligned Movement, which was held by Asian and African countries in Indonesia's Bandung city when the world faced a historical crossroads over seven decades ago. He highlighted that the "Bandung spirit of solidarity, friendship and cooperation" has played a pivotal role in the unity and cooperation of the Global South countries. "More than seven decades later, the world is once again at an important crossroads," Li remarked, calling on all countries to seek common ground and resolve differences through dialogue and peaceful coexistence.

President Subianto expressed gratitude to the Chinese government and companies for their participation in Indonesia's economy, crediting them with "created jobs, transferred technology and built trust among all businesses, especially in our homeland." He extended an invitation for increased Chinese investment in Indonesia. Last year, two-way trade between the two nations exceeded US$147.8 billion, a growth of 6.1%.

Premier Li noted that China has been Indonesia's largest trading partner for nine consecutive years. He also highlighted the substantive progress of China's Belt and Road cooperation program in Indonesia, citing examples such as nickel smelting plants and Whoosh, Southeast Asia’s first high-speed railway, which has been operational since October 2023 and has transported nearly 10 million passengers. Indonesia is keen to expand its role in supplying nickel and other raw materials to China's burgeoning electric car manufacturing sector.Earlier on Sunday, President Subianto hosted Premier Li in a ceremony at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta. Li is also scheduled to meet with Indonesian parliament members on Sunday before heading to Malaysia on Monday. In Malaysia, he and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim will address the ASEAN-GCC-China Economic Summit, which will be attended by leaders from Southeast Asian countries and the Gulf Cooperation Council.

END/WD/RH/