(Deutsche Welle Chinese website) Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who visited Jakarta again after two years, met with Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiyono and subsequently participated in the "2+2" meeting jointly attended by the defense ministers and foreign ministers of the two countries.
Wang Yi said in his opening speech that in the face of complex global challenges, it is time for the two sides to meet under the new dialogue mechanism, and the two countries should "seize the opportunity." He said: "Unilateralism and hegemonic behavior have had a serious impact on global cooperation and stability. China is actively committed to building a high-level China-Indonesia cooperative relationship."
Indonesia said it expected the foreign ministers' talks to focus on economic issues and political relations; China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted this week that the two sides would discuss political and security issues, defense cooperation, and international and regional issues.
Chinese Defense Minister: “There are broad prospects for cooperation between the two militaries”
Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun was greeted by a guard of honor when he arrived at the Indonesian Defense Ministry on Friday. Dong Jun said that the two countries' militaries have broad space for cooperation in strengthening their capabilities to safeguard national interests and resist external threats.
Dong Jun said: "The cooperation between the two militaries has broad prospects, and the quality and effectiveness of cooperation are constantly improving."
Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin said that the two countries’ militaries will strengthen defense activities, including joint exercises, officer exchanges and partnerships in the defense industry. "This is a positive step in the process of building Indonesia's defense capabilities now and in the future," Shafri said.
Analyst: Joint military exercises allow China to send political signal
Last week, the Chinese navy and the Indonesian navy held a rare joint military exercise in the waters east of Taiwan, which caused dissatisfaction in Taiwan.
The Indonesian Navy said its ships were conducting routine exercises, including not only exercises with China, but also exercises with Japan and the United States.
Curie Maharani, a defense analyst, said that although Indonesia views the exercise as a routine event, the location of the exercise allows China to send a different political signal. "Indonesia has learned a valuable lesson about how major powers can use defense diplomacy more as a tool to project influence," she said.
Indonesia and China also have differences on the South China Sea issue. China claims sovereignty over almost all of the South China Sea, which overlaps with the claims of many countries in the region.
However, Reuters reports pointed out that Jakarta has always been more cautious in its stance and believes that it is not a party to the broader territorial disputes between China and the Philippines, Malaysia, and Vietnam.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has stated many times that he will adhere to Indonesia's "independent and proactive" non-aligned foreign policy, and has promised to maintain friendly relations with all countries, including China and the United States.
Chinese companies in Indonesia unhappy with regulations
China is Indonesia’s main investor. According to Indonesian official data, China's foreign direct investment in Indonesia reached US$3.9 billion in the first half of 2026. However, Reuters reports that regulations surrounding some investments have become a source of friction.
In May, Chinese companies operating in Indonesia urged the government to adopt more business-friendly policies, pointing out that higher taxes and new nickel pricing methods had pushed up costs and posed a threat to investment. Indonesia has the world's largest nickel reserves.
Major Chinese investors in Indonesia include CATL, the world's largest electric vehicle battery maker, and steel and nickel giant Tsingshan Holdings Group, which has smelters in Indonesia.
According to a letter seen by Reuters, the China-Indonesia Chamber of Commerce stated that Chinese companies faced the problem of "overly strict supervision and excessive enforcement" and accused relevant departments of corruption and extortion.
