Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a bilateral meeting in Chengdu, China, on Thursday, July 27, 2023. The meeting was part of President Jokowi’s official visit to China, which took place from July 27 to 28, 2023.
According to an official statement released by the Presidential Secretariat’s YouTube account, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi disclosed that President Jokowi’s visit to China was in response to an invitation from President Xi Jinping and coincided with the 10-year anniversary of the comprehensive strategic partnership between Indonesia and China.
During the meeting, the two heads of state primarily discussed strengthening mutually beneficial economic cooperation, with a focus on considering local labor and environmentally friendly practices.
In the field of trade, Minister Retno stated that efforts to increase Indonesia’s exports to China are continuously being pursued, given China’s position as Indonesia’s largest trading partner.
In 2022, the trade value between Indonesia and China exceeded US$133 billion, with Indonesia now enjoying a trade surplus.
President Jokowi used the opportunity to request greater market access in China for Indonesian products.
For the health sector, an action plan for the implementation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation was signed.
This led to the creation of 9 MoUs involving the private sector, which covered technology transfer for vaccine production, halal vaccines, diagnostic tool manufacturing, and health information system management.
Furthermore, Presidents Jokowi and Xi Jinping discussed regional and global issues, including matters related to the Indo-Pacific and the South China Sea.
Among the outcomes of the Jokowi-Xi Jinping meeting, eight agreements were signed:
- Protocol on Inspection and Quarantine Requirements for Indonesian Konjac Powder Exports to China.
- Protocol on Phytosanitary Requirements for Indonesian Tabasheer Exports to China.
- Action Plan for Health Cooperation.
- Memorandum of Understanding on Joint Research and Development Center.
- Memorandum of Understanding on Sharing Knowledge and Experience in Relation to Indonesia’s New Capital City.
- Memorandum of Understanding on Enhancing Indonesia-China Cooperation through “Two Countries, Twin Parks.”
- Memorandum of Understanding on Chinese Language Education.
- Memorandum of Understanding on Economic and Technical Cooperation.
