Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesia and China have agreed to expand bilateral trade beyond its current volume of 167 billion USD, strengthen defence and security cooperation, and accelerate negotiations towards finalising a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).
The agreements were reached at the inaugural Comprehensive Strategic Dialogue (CSD) and the second 2 + 2 meeting of foreign and defence ministers between the two countries, held in Jakarta on August 21.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi co-chaired the CSD, a new ministerial-level bilateral dialogue mechanism established during Sugiono’s visit to China in April 2025. The mechanism aims to review cooperation outcomes and identify strategic priorities for bilateral relations.
Their talks established preliminary discussions for the 2027–2031 Action Plan while opening avenues for new collaborative mechanisms in artificial intelligence, advanced technology, and quarantine standards. The two countries are also expected to step up cooperation in information satellite development and expand financial cooperation through local currency transactions.
Following the CSD, Wang and Chinese Minister of Defence Dong Jun held the second 2+2 meeting with Sugiono and Indonesian Minister of Defence Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, focusing on political, defence and security cooperation.
Wang stressed the need for China and Indonesia to strengthen bilateral coordination, tap the potential of developing countries and promote cooperation among countries of the Global South.
The two sides agreed to expand exchanges between their armed forces and enhance cooperation in maritime security, cybersecurity, counter-terrorism, law enforcement and combating transnational crime.
Regarding regional issues, Indonesia and China reaffirmed their commitment to accelerating the finalisation of COC, while supporting the full implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and maintaining ASEAN’s central role in managing regional security issues.
The two sides also exchanged views on international security issues of common concern and agreed to strengthen coordination on the situation in the Middle East and promote efforts towards peace and an end to conflicts./.
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