President Jokowi and Foreign Minister Wang Yi Discuss Economic Cooperation and the Middle East Situation

Jakarta, INTI - President Joko Widodo received the honorable visit of the Foreign Minister of the People's Republic of China (PRC), Wang Yi, at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Thursday, April 18, 2024. In the meeting, President Jokowi and Minister Wang Yi discussed several important issues related to bilateral economic cooperation and the situation in the Middle East.

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, in her statement after the meeting, said that President Jokowi conveyed three important messages, one of which was related to economic cooperation between the two countries. President Jokowi emphasized the need for a more balanced trade volume between Indonesia and China, as well as hoped for market access for Indonesian products to China, including the resolution of protocols for the import of Indonesian agricultural and fisheries products.

"In the field of economic cooperation, President Jokowi encourages development cooperation in the Capital City of Nusantara (IKN), including for transportation modes. The President also pushes for the implementation of strategic projects in the North Kalimantan industrial area, especially for investment in the petrochemical sector," said Minister Retno.

Additionally, President Jokowi and Minister Wang Yi also discussed food security issues. According to the President, cooperation in agriculture between the two countries needs to be enhanced, including studying China's agricultural modeling.

"The last thing conveyed by the President is related to the situation in the Middle East. President Jokowi emphasizes that no party wants to see escalation, and he conveys that Indonesia continues diplomatic communication with various parties, including Iran and the United States," explained Minister Retno.

On this occasion, Indonesia also emphasized three things: the importance of restraint, the importance of de-escalation, and requested countries to use their influence to avoid escalation. Minister Retno also mentioned that Indonesia and China have the same position on this issue.

"The President also expressed his belief that China will also use its influence to prevent escalation," said Minister Retno.

Meanwhile, China also emphasized support for Palestinian independence through a two-state solution and agreed that stability in the Middle East would occur through a two-state solution. Furthermore, Indonesia and China also share the same position in supporting Palestine's full membership in the UN.

"There was also an exchange of views on the majority support of UN member states for Palestine's full membership in the UN. In this regard, once again, Indonesia's position and China's position are the same, that we fully support Palestine's membership in the UN," said Minister Retno.