JAKARTA, 21 August, 2026(News Desk): Indonesia and China have agreed to expand defense cooperation and strengthen collaboration in food, energy and mineral security during high-level meetings in Jakarta on Friday. Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi discussed ways to advance bilateral cooperation in political, economic, security, maritime and people-to-people relations. Wang Yi said the two countries agreed to improve coordination on development and security priorities to support the modernization of both nations. He stressed the importance of opposing unilateralism and power politics while safeguarding international fairness, justice and the legitimate interests of developing countries.The two sides also discussed strengthening food, energy and mineral security through the development of industries aimed at enhancing national resilience. Future cooperation could include artificial intelligence, communications satellites and other advanced technologies. Sugiono said Indonesia and China also agreed to facilitate trade, explore new markets and expand market access for Indonesian flagship commodities. Meanwhile, Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun held a separate meeting to discuss enhanced defense cooperation, including defense equipment, personnel development and cooperation between the two countries’ defense industries.

Sjamsoeddin said Indonesia had invited the Chinese armed forces to participate in joint military exercises, including the Heping Garuda exercise, describing it as a concrete example of growing ties between the two militaries. Economic relations between Indonesia and China have expanded significantly in recent years, with bilateral trade reaching around $167 billion in 2025. China is Indonesia’s largest trading partner and has invested billions of dollars in major infrastructure projects, including the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway and the Cirata floating solar power project in West Java. Despite some disagreements over project costs and timelines, China has continued to support major infrastructure initiatives in Indonesia under President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative.