Indonesia-China to Establish Comprehensive Strategic Dialog

KBRN, Beijing: Indonesia and China are set to establish a Comprehensive Strategic Dialog (CSD), marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for its formation.

This initiative is one of the outcomes of the first 2+2 Dialog between Indonesia and China, held on Monday, April 21, 2025, in Beijing, China.

The MoU was signed by the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and the Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono. The CSD's establishment is described as a more thorough bilateral approach.

"With the CSD, we are building a more comprehensive bilateral mechanism and are more focused on responding to the challenges and opportunities for bilateral cooperation, by focusing on the five pillars of cooperation," Minister Sugiono told a joint press statement following the meeting, as quoted by rri.co.id.

The five pillars of cooperation mentioned by Minister Sugiono are economics, people-to-people relations, maritime, politics, and security.

In the maritime sector, Indonesia and China have agreed to enhance cooperation, including strengthening coordination between the Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) and the China Coast Guard.

"Maritime cooperation must bring tangible benefits to the people and contribute to regional maritime security," Minister Sugiono emphasized.

Additionally, during the 2+2 Dialogue, Indonesia and China agreed to boost law enforcement cooperation including mutual legal assistance and intelligence exchanges, as well as operational coordination to combat transnational crimes, cybercrime, and extremism.

Both countries have also agreed to establish a new bilateral consultation mechanism in the fields of disarmament, non-proliferation, and arms control, as part of their initiatives to foster strategic trust.

Foreign Minister Sugiono also held a bilateral meeting with Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The bilateral meeting primarily discussed various follow-ups on economic development cooperation and health cooperation.

"I encourage Indonesia-China economic cooperation to not only focus on figures but also include capacity building, technology transfer, and sustainability aspects," he said.

The working visit of the Indonesian Foreign Minister to China also marked the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

One of the key agendas for Minister Sugiono in Beijing was a 2+2 meeting together with Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, alongside China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Defense Minister Dong Jun.

Foreign Minister Sugiono officially opened the diplomatic reception commemorating the 75th anniversary of Indonesia-China relations, organized by the Indonesian Embassy in Beijing in collaboration with Bank Indonesia Beijing.

During the event, a special edition stamp and envelope design celebrating 75 years of Indonesia-China relations was launched.

Building on this momentum, Foreign Minister Sugiono also announced the finalization of the process for opening an Indonesian Consulate General in Chengdu in 2025.

This initiative is part of efforts to strengthen Indonesia's diplomatic mission and provide services to Indonesian citizens in southwest China. China is Indonesia's largest trading partner and one of its key investors supporting national development agendas.

Diplomatic relations between Indonesia and China have been established since April 13, 1950, and are currently at the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership. ***