Balance of power shifts in Asia: China expands military and technology ties with Indonesia

China and Indonesia have agreed to expand military cooperation.

TodayPress TV reports that China and Indonesia have also agreed to deepen cooperation in minerals, energy and technology.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who traveled to Jakarta together with China’s Defense Minister, held talks with his Indonesian counterparts. Wang Yi called on both countries to “seize the current moment".

“The current international situation is interconnected and complex. Unilateral actions and attempts at hegemony are having a serious impact on global cooperation and stability,” Wang Yi said at the beginning of the meeting.

According to him, China intends to “actively advance China-Indonesia cooperation at a high level".

The sides agreed to cooperate in a range of areas, from artificial intelligence, defense and railway transportation to green energy, satellite technology and fisheries.

Wang Yi said Beijing and Jakarta had agreed to support each other’s core interests and strengthen cooperation in energy and natural resources.

Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun was welcomed by an honor guard on Friday ahead of talks with Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin.

“The prospects for cooperation between the two armed forces are broad, and this cooperation is becoming higher-quality and more effective,” Dong Jun said.

According to Sjamsoeddin, military cooperation between the countries will be expanded. This will include joint military exercises, exchanges of officers and partnerships in the defense industry.

“This is a progressive step taken in the modern era to strengthen Indonesia’s defense capabilities, both now and in the future,” Indonesia’s defense minister said.

Giymat Mahir