Indonesia and China have expressed their concern about the evolving situation in the Middle East related to escalating Iran-Israel conflict and Palestinian issues.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said Indonesia and China shared the same view on the importance of all parties to restrain and to de-escalate the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict.
“I explained the diplomatic efforts undertaken by Indonesia so far and I am sure China will exert its influence to prevent such an escalation,” Retno said after a meeting with China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Jakarta on Thursday, April 18, 2024.
Indonesia and China also share the same view on the importance of a ceasefire in Gaza and a just settlement to the Palestinian issue through a two-state solution.
“Indonesia will support Palestine’s full membership in the UN,” Retno said, adding that Middle East stability will not be realized without the resolution of the Palestinian issue.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi said both Indonesia and China agreed that UN resolution Number 2728 should be fully and effectively implemented. Besides, an unconditional and durable ceasefire should be implemented immediately and that measures should be taken to protect civilians, and that humanitarian aid should be supplied to Gaza quickly and safely.
“We also call on the parties to maintain peace and restraint. China supports the UNSC to accept Palestine as an official member of the UN as soon as possible,” he added.
South China Sea
Retno also said Indonesia reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining stability and peace in the Indo-Pacific. Indo-Pacific stability and peace will only be realized
if all parties respect international law. Indonesia appreciates China’s support for the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.
“We have a responsibility to keep our region peaceful and stable, and that can only be realized if all parties respect international law,” she said.
Wang Yi said both Indonesia and China are wary of conflicts in the region and reject any intentions aimed at activating conflicts, but instead call on countries to jointly maintain the hard-won peace and stability in the region.
“We are also willing to work together with ASEAN countries to fully and effectively implement the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea, and accelerate the negotiation of the COC so that the South China Sea can become a sea of peace and a sea of cooperation,” Wang Yi said.
Investment
Retno said that she and Wang Yi also talked about some of the focuses on investment cooperation that will continue to be strengthened, among others in the fields of downstream industry, infrastructure development, manufacturing, energy transition, and food security.
A more detailed discussion of economic cooperation will be discussed at the High-Level Dialogue Cooperation Mechanism (HDCM) meeting in
Labuan Bajo tomorrow. Indonesia will be co-chaired by Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment and Minister of Foreign Affairs, while the Chinese delegation will be led by Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
China is Indonesia’s largest trading partner, with a trade volume of more than 127 billion USD. China is also one of the largest foreign investors with an investment value of more than USD 7.4 billion last year.
