China and Indonesia Strengthen Economic and Peace Cooperation

China and Indonesia have reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing economic cooperation and promoting peace and stability in the region. This pledge was made following a meeting between China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Indonesian counterpart, Retno Marsudi, in Jakarta. Wang emphasized the importance of all parties in the Gaza conflict exercising restraint and called for US support for a UN resolution for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Both ministers expressed concern over the humanitarian crisis resulting from the Palestine-Israel conflict and stressed the need for the full implementation of the UN Security Council resolution on a ceasefire. Wang urged the United States to heed the international community's calls for peace in the Middle East and emphasized the importance of upholding the UN Security Council as a collective security mechanism.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi urged China to use its influence to prevent further escalation in Gaza and reiterated the necessity of a two-state solution. The two countries, with China being Indonesia's largest trading and investment partner, aim to strengthen economic ties through increased investment in infrastructure, food sustainability, and Indonesia's energy transition.

Chinese investment in Indonesia exceeded $7.4 billion last year, highlighting the growing economic partnership between the two nations. Wang is set to participate in the China-Indonesia High-Level Dialogue Cooperation Mechanism meeting in Labuan Bajo to discuss further cooperation opportunities with the Indonesian government.

During the bilateral meeting, both countries committed to upholding peace in the Indo-Pacific region, with a focus on expediting negotiations on the code of conduct for the South China Sea. The ASEAN and China have been working towards establishing a code of conduct since 2002, aiming to enhance regional stability and cooperation.