By Andri Mulya Utama )*
The bilateral meeting between President Prabowo Subianto and Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang at the Merdeka Palace marked a new chapter in strengthening strategic relations between Indonesia and China. During the meeting, a number of President Prabowo’s flagship programs were highlighted, including the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program, energy self-sufficiency, and the construction of a giant sea wall on the northern coast of Java. The commitment of the two countries to expand cooperation in the industrial, energy, and infrastructure sectors is not only a breath of fresh air for the national economy, but also a concrete step towards inclusive and sustainable development.
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto emphasized that Indonesia is opening up opportunities for Chinese investment to support the National Strategic Project (PSN). President Prabowo’s desire to involve China in the development of flagship programs shows a pragmatic approach in building national economic strength through mutually beneficial international partnerships. One of the main focuses is on energy self-sufficiency, which is an absolute requirement to ensure national resilience and support sustainable energy industrialization.
Concrete steps towards energy self-sufficiency are also inseparable from China’s great interest in Indonesia’s energy sector. Deputy Minister of Investment and Downstream/Deputy Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), Todotua Pasaribu, said that the energy sector is one of the three main areas of interest to Chinese investors, in addition to downstreaming and manufacturing. China not only has the resources and experience in large-scale energy management, but has also moved quickly in the transition to green energy. This is a great opportunity for Indonesia to accelerate the energy transition agenda.
Collaboration with China opens up space for the development of new and renewable energy, such as solar power, wind power, and bioenergy, as well as increasing energy efficiency in the industrial sector. China’s experience in building clean energy infrastructure and electricity-based transportation systems can also be used as a relevant cooperation model to be applied in Indonesia. If designed and implemented properly, this cooperation can strengthen the foundation of national energy independence while contributing to achieving the net zero emission target that has been set by the government.
In addition to the energy sector, downstreaming is also a major pillar in the direction of Indonesia’s future economic development. China’s investment in the processing industry, especially nickel and rare earth metals, has contributed significantly to the growth of the national industrial sector. Success in the nickel sector can be a model for encouraging downstreaming of other commodities such as bauxite, copper, and tin.
This step is in line with President Prabowo’s vision to build an economic foundation based on domestic added value. Downstreaming not only creates jobs and increases export value, but also strengthens Indonesia’s position in the global value chain. In the long term, Indonesia-China cooperation in industrial downstreaming can support the structural transformation of the Indonesian economy towards a highly competitive advanced industrial country.
The Chairperson of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Puan Maharani, also expressed support for strengthening economic relations between Indonesia and China, including in the infrastructure, manufacturing, and energy transition sectors. According to her, China is a major trade and investment partner that must continue to be maintained and developed. Puan’s call to make China’s investment in the sustainable energy sector a model of international cooperation that inspires the global energy transition is a reflection of the importance of Indonesia’s position in the world’s energy geopolitics. As a country with enormous renewable energy potential, Indonesia has the opportunity to become a regional leader in clean energy development, with the support of technology and funding from strategic partners such as China.
The Prabowo-Li Qiang meeting also demonstrated Indonesia’s economic diplomacy acumen in utilizing the momentum of global cooperation for national interests. In a global situation full of uncertainty, the ability to establish strategic alliances based on shared interests is key to maintaining the stability and sustainability of national development. Indonesia and China have proven that economic cooperation can continue to grow, even amidst geopolitical challenges and global economic pressures.
Through the synergy between President Prabowo’s vision and China’s investment commitment, Indonesia has a great opportunity to move faster on the path of industrialization and energy transformation. PartnershipThis must be maintained with the principles of transparency, sustainability, and mutual benefit. The involvement of all stakeholders, including parliament, the private sector, and civil society, is an important element so that this strategic cooperation has a real and equitable impact on all Indonesian people.
With a clear policy direction and solid strategic partners, Indonesia is on the right track to build a resilient, independent, and sustainable economic future. The meeting between President Prabowo and PM Li Qiang is not just a diplomatic meeting, but a symbol of commitment to bring about major changes in national development through mutually reinforcing global cooperation.
)* The author is an observer of energy policy
