China-Indonesia to Discuss Cooperation on BRI, Bilateral Relations, Epidemic Control

Beijing; 19 Aug 2020 – Spokesperson of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China , Mr Zhao Lijian has said the Foreign Minister of Indonesia Mr. Retno Marsudi is the first foreign minister China receives as virus control is being conducted on an ongoing basis, which shows that China and Indonesia both attach high importance to the bilateral relations. During the visit, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will meet with her to have in-depth discussions on bilateral relations, anti-epidemic cooperation and BRI cooperation. They will also exchange views on China-ASEAN relations and other international and regional issues of mutual interest.

The spokesperson was responding to a question of Xinhua News Agency: Could you tell us the agenda of Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi’s visit and China’s expectations for this visit? What is China’s view on the current China-Indonesia relationship?

Mr Zhao Lijian, replied that as important neighbor to each other and major developing countries, China and Indonesia share broad common interests, which naturally makes the two cooperation partners. Under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China-Indonesia relationship has achieved rapid development. In particular, we achieved tangible outcomes in BRI cooperation and steady progress in such flagship projects as the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Corridor. Since COVID-19 broke out, high-level officials of the two countries have had multiple telephone calls. Our governments, militaries, localities and civil societies have lent mutual assistance to each other, demonstrating brotherly friendship.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between China and Indonesia, presenting new development opportunities for bilateral relations. China stands ready to work with Indonesia to implement the consensus between the two heads of state, take epidemic response and development as the two main lines, deepen mutual trust and cooperation, jointly uphold multilateralism and international justice, advance greater progress in China-Indonesia relations and bring more benefits to people in China, Indonesia and the region.