Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia at the Indonesia-China Business Reception 2025, at Shangri-La Hotel, Jakarta, May 24, 2025

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

Good evening,

May prosperity be upon us all,

Shalom,

Om swastiastu,

Namo buddhaya,

Greetings of Virtue.

Your Excellency Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, Li Qiang, and esteemed members of the delegation;

Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission, His Excellency Zheng Shanjie;

Minister of Commerce, His Excellency Wang Wentao;

Governor of the People’s Bank of China, Mr. Pan Gongsheng;

Ambassador to Indonesia, His Excellency Wang Lutong;

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Ma Zhaoxu;

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Sun Weidong;

Director of the Leader’s Office, Mr. Kang Xuping;

Distinguished Ministers and Deputy Ministers of the Red and White Cabinet who are present:

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Mr. Airlangga Hartarto;

Minister of Investment and Downstreaming, Mr. Rosan Perkasa Roeslani;

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr. Bahlil Lahadalia;

Minister of State Secretary, Mr. Prasetyo Hadi;

Chairperson of the National Economic Council, General (Ret.) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan;

Cabinet Secretary of the Republic of Indonesia, Mr. Teddy Indra Wijaya;

Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Beijing, Mr. Djauhari Oratmangun;

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Arrmanatha Christiawan Nasir;

Vice Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Sudaryono;

Chairperson of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN), Mr. Anindya Bakrie;

Chairperson of the KADIN Advisory Board, Mr. Arsjad Rasjid;

Chairperson of the KADIN China Committee, Mr. Garibaldi Thohir;

Distinguished business leaders from Indonesia and China whom I truly admire,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Thank you for this invitation. It is an honor for me. Tonight, I stand before you with respect and gratitude. We are witnessing an important moment in the history of relations between the Republic of Indonesia and the People’s Republic of China. Two great nations that have fostered friendship and trade for hundreds of years. Our relationship did not begin only when we established diplomatic relations, it has existed far longer. Evidence of our historical ties can be found in inscriptions across our countries. The voyages of Admiral Cheng Ho to the archipelago are still remembered today, with many monuments commemorating those visits. The ties between our peoples are also very close. I believe if we were to examine the genetics or DNA of Indonesians, many of us would have Chinese DNA.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I wish to convey that China was the first country I visited after being announced as the elected president, and the President of the People’s Republic of China, along with the Chinese Government, received me, despite the fact that I had not yet been inaugurated, with extraordinary honor. Thank you. Also, shortly after I was inaugurated, perhaps less than three weeks, the first country I officially visited as President of the Republic of Indonesia was the People’s Republic of China.

Why did I visit China first, even before being inaugurated? Because in my view, Indonesia and China bilateral relations are very strategic, very important, and very promising, and can shape peace and stability in our region. Also, as someone who enjoys learning history, I see that Chinese civilization is not only the oldest civilization on our planet, but also a civilization that upholds high cultural values. At its core, Chinese civilization seeks common good, mutual benefit, and always strives to create peace and harmony. Therefore, I am determined to preserve and further strengthen what we have achieved so far.

Ladies and Gentlemen;

Your Excellency Premier Li;

Distinguished Guests,

Today, China is our largest trading partner. Our bilateral trade has exceeded US$130 billion annually. We view China as a very important partner in our industrial and technological development. Chinese companies have run large-scale projects successfully: the Jakarta–Bandung high-speed railway, industrial estates, nickel downstreaming, and various other large industrial and technological projects that we have just seen together in the brief exhibition I was invited to. This trade, investment, and technological cooperation is a proof of our mutual commitment to building a stronger, more prosperous future for both our countries, as well as a greener and more environmentally friendly one.

I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the Chinese companies that have participated in our economy, created jobs, transferred technology, and built trust among business communities, especially in our homeland. I have met with many business leaders from China. I see their commitment, I see their willingness to adapt to Indonesia’s conditions and needs. They are very open to hearing about our challenges and our interests. Once again, thank you.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a great honor for me to stand before all of you today. This marks a step forward, one taken with greater confidence as we move toward the future.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would also like to emphasize that although our economic ties are good, our cooperation should not be limited to the economic sector only. We must also foster deeper friendship and cooperation in all fields. I wish to express my respect to the People’s Republic of China, which has consistently defended the interests of developing countries, consistently opposed oppression, imperialism, colonialism, and apartheid. China supported liberation movements in countries that still under imperialist and colonial rule. Not only now, when its economy is strong, but even in earlier times when China was still developing. To this day, we see China’s leadership, particularly in its defense of the Palestinian people as truly admirable to us all. From my heart, on behalf of myself personally and the people of Indonesia, we express our deep respect for the leadership of the People’s Republic of China in defending the oppressed across the world. Thank you to China’s leadership. Thank you.

Your Excellency Premier Li and esteemed leaders present here,

I believe and am confident that China and Indonesia can demonstrate to the world how power can be used for good. How strength can bring shared prosperity, mutual benefit, and how partnerships do not have to place one party above and the other below.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Thank you for your presence in Indonesia. I invite Chinese businesses to continue investing in Indonesia in all sectors, not only in the downstreaming of natural resources but also in education, health, tourism, science, and technology. I encourage Indonesian businesses to view China as a partner for learning, for production, and for jointly entering global markets.

Tonight, we are not only welcoming Premier Li to Indonesia and celebrating our shared achievements. We are embracing this cooperation as a step toward a bright future, a future full of hope, a future that brings blessings and peace to our region. By advancing together in mutual understanding, trust, and support, I am confident that Indonesia and China will stand as pillars of stability and prosperity in Asia. Thank you.

 Wassalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

Peace and prosperity be upon us all,

Om santi santi santi om,

Namo buddhaya,

Greetings of Virtue,

Rahayu rahayu.

Xie xie. Thank you. (AS/MMB)