Indonesia, China launch new defense, energy dialogue
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- Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met in Jakarta to launch a new bilateral dialogue focused on political, economic, security, maritime, and people-to-people relations.
- Wang Yi said the two countries would 'jointly oppose unilateral bullying and power politics' and remain vigilant against attempts to 'turn back the wheel of history' regarding World War II outcomes.
- Indonesia and China agreed to strengthen food, energy, and mineral security through industries supporting national resilience, with future cooperation in artificial intelligence, communications satellites, and other advanced technology.
- Indonesia's Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and China's Defense Minister Dong Jun met separately to discuss material cooperation and defense industry ties, with Indonesia inviting Chinese forces to participate in the Heping Garuda joint exercise.
- Bilateral trade between Indonesia and China reached approximately $167 billion in 2025, making China Indonesia's largest trading partner, with major Chinese investments including the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway and the Cirata floating solar project.
- Disagreements have emerged over pricing and timing of major Chinese infrastructure projects, though China remains committed to following through under President Xi Jinping's Belt and Road Initiative.
Why it matters: With roughly $167 billion in annual trade and China as Indonesia's largest trading partner, deepening defense and energy cooperation — including Indonesia's invitation for Chinese troops to participate in the Heping Garuda exercise — signals the two emerging-market countries aligning against external pressure, even as Belt and Road project disputes show the partnership faces real friction.
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