Widodo, Xi look to strengthen China-Indonesia ties in trade and tackling coronavirus
- The presidents discussed the co-production of a Covid-19 vaccine as well as economic cooperation as they marked 70 years of bilateral relations
- Widodo says he hopes for a stronger relationship with Beijing, with Xi stressing that Jakarta is a ‘friendly neighbour’ and important partner
“I hope the relations and cooperation between [our] countries can grow stronger and more mutually beneficial,” Widodo said on the Monday call, according to a statement released by the Presidential Office on Tuesday. “I appreciate the Chinese government’s efforts to strengthen strategic health cooperation, including in the co-production and provision of Covid-19 vaccines.”
The countries on August 21 agreed that Chinese drug maker Sinovac Biotech, working with Indonesia’s state-owned PT Bio Farma, would send up to 40 million doses of a vaccine to the Southeast Asian nation in November.
Indonesia has reported more than 177,000 cases of Covid-19, and over 7,500 related deaths.
Widodo also said economic cooperation between the two countries should continue despite the pandemic, pointing out the travel corridor between China and Indonesia that was announced last month to facilitate business trips.
Chinese state media reported that Xi told Widodo their countries should “seize the new industries and models created by the Covid-19 pandemic” and open up new areas of cooperation.
The call between the leaders comes ahead of an Asean Regional Forum meeting next week that will bring together the foreign ministers from the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations and partner countries including China, the United States, Japan, India, Australia and North and South Korea. It is expected to be a face-to-face meeting held in Hanoi.
