At Sunday’s Indonesia-China Business Forum in Beijing, China and Indonesia inked $10 billion deals in a variety of industries, including biotechnology, new energy, food, and technology, according to Chinese state media.
Following the forum, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on Saturday. Subianto is in China through November 10—his first visit since assuming office last month.
As president-elect, Prabowo made China the first country to visit Indonesia, demonstrating Jakarta’s dedication to deepening its strategic partnership with Beijing. Prabowo won Indonesia’s presidential election in February.
Following their leaders’ meeting, the two nations decided to strengthen their cooperation in areas like photovoltaics, lithium batteries, new energy vehicles, and the digital economy, according to a joint statement.
According to the statement, they also promised to support the global energy transition partnership and work together to secure the safety of the world’s industrial chains and mineral supplies.
According to a filing from Shenzhen, Chinese battery materials manufacturer GEM and PT Vale Indonesia agreed on Sunday to construct a high-pressure acid leaching plant in Central Sulawesi, in part to secure nickel resources. Prabowo was present when the signing took place.
Chinese firms such as Tsingshan Holding Group and Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt control the nickel industry in Indonesia, the country that produces the most of the metal worldwide.
According to a previous Reuters report, Indonesian tech company GoTo Gojek Tokopedia has inked agreements with Alibaba and Tencent of China to develop digital talent and cloud infrastructure in Indonesia.
Based on demand, the two nations will promote more direct flights and destinations and implement visa policies, such as multi-entry long-term visas, according to the joint statement.
Prabowo’s visit also saw the signing of agreements on housing and the export of fresh coconuts from Indonesia to China.
