Press Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia Ahead of Departure for China Working Visit, July 27, 2023

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

This morning, the First Lady and I as well as a limited delegation will conduct a working visit to Chengdu in PRC. My visit to Chengdu is to fulfill the invitation of President Xi Jinping. And, this visit also coincides with ten years of comprehensive strategic partnership between Indonesia and China. China is Indonesia’s largest trade and investment partner. In Chengdu, I will meet with President Xi Jinping and I will discuss a number of priority agendas with President Xi, including investment and various strategic projects between Indonesia and China, along with the fields of trade and health, as well as regional and global issues.

In addition to President Xi Jinping, I will also meet with several CEOs, leaders of Chinese companies that have and will be investing in Indonesia, especially in the downstream industry, petrochemical, renewable energy, and health sectors. I will also attend the opening of the FISU World University Games to uplift the spirit of our contingent who are competing there. And, on Saturday morning, God willing, I will arrive in Jakarta.

I thank you.
Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

Journalists

Morning, Sir. Sir, will you also discuss the EV ecosystem? Also, yesterday at the ASEAN and China Foreign Ministers meeting, they discussed the South China Sea, will it also be discussed with President Xi Jinping? Thank you, Sir.

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Later, in the meeting with the CEO, we will talk about EVs. And, usually for the South China Sea, every time I meet with President Xi, I always mention it.

Journalists
Good morning, sir. With regards to the mysterious disappearance of the Chinese Foreign Minister, will this affect your visit?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
No, that’s PRC’s internal affairs. They have no problem with us. And, because the one who replaced was the previous foreign minister, Wang Yi, yes, we already have a long and good relationship with him.

Journalists
Sir, I would like to ask about another issue, regarding the Head of National Search and Rescue Agency who was named as a KPK suspect last night, in relation to corruption, he manipulated the auction system so that he could commit acts of corruption, meaning that there was an intention. Meanwhile, so far, the Government has stated that the auction system can greatly anticipate corruption. What is your response to evaluate?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
We are continuously improving the system in all ministries and institutions. System improvements, such as e-catalogs, now there are probably more than four million products that have been submitted, whereas previously there were only 50,000. This means that the system has improved. If there are indeed those who violate the system and steal something from it, if they are caught in a hand arrest operation (OTT), we must respect the existing legal process.

Journalists
Sir, good morning. In relation to the discourse that is currently developing about the dynamics within the Golkar Party, in the end, some parties believe that there is an intervention from you, Mr. President, because Golkar Party is moving closer to “Anies’ camp”, and there are also names being pushed at the extraordinary congress, one of them or several of them are Mr. Luhut and Mr. Bahlil. What is your response?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
That’s Golkar’s internal business. It is Golkar’s internal business. It has nothing to do with us. If Mr. Luhut, Mr. Bahlil, Mr. Bamsoet wish to do so, that is their business, not ours. It’s Golkar’s internal business.

Thank you.

(FI/MMB)