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China is using 2+2 talks with South Korea and Indonesia to ‘get its plans back on track’
- Beijing has held recent meetings in this format with Seoul and Jakarta, both of whom are moving closer to the Quad
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China’s recent engagement with its neighbours could point to a “more comprehensive” diplomatic strategy as countries in the region draw closer to the Quad powers, according to observers.
The latest example was the first “2+2” dialogue between China and Indonesia last week, involving senior officials from their foreign and defence ministries.
China’s foreign ministry said the talks in Jakarta reflected the “high-level and strategic nature” of the two countries’ relations and marked “a new level of strategic mutual trust” between them.
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China’s delegation at the talks was led by foreign vice-minister Sun Weidong and Zhang Baoqun, deputy director of the Central Military Commission’s Office for International Military Cooperation.
Abdul Kadir Jailani, director general for Asia-Pacific and African affairs at Indonesia’s foreign ministry, and Oktaheroe Ramsi, the secretary directorate general for defence strategy, headed the Indonesian side.
China held a similar dialogue with South Korea in June. Beijing said the two countries had agreed to build mutual trust and push for cooperation through mechanisms including a 2+2 diplomatic and security dialogue.
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