China, Indonesia agree to deepen cooperation

China and Indonesia have agreed to deepen cooperation in energy and mineral resources and build a comprehensive, open and green partnership, as the two countries prepare to formulate a new five-year action plan (2027-31) for advancing their "five-pillar" cooperation.

The agreement was reached by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono at the first Conference of China-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Dialogue Mechanism in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, on Friday.

According to a news release by the Chinese Foreign Ministry, the two sides agreed that deepening cooperation in energy and mineral resources serves their common interests, and they expressed their readiness to jointly build a comprehensive, open and green partnership in energy and mineral resources.

Resource-rich Indonesia has vast deposits of nickel, tin, copper, gold and bauxite, and is the world's largest exporter of palm oil and thermal coal, with China among its top buyers, Reuters reported.

China is Indonesia's largest trading partner. In 2025, bilateral trade value reached $167.4 billion, up 13.4 percent year-on-year, according to the ministry. China is also Indonesia's largest source of foreign investment, contributing $3.9 billion of foreign direct investment in the first half, Indonesian data showed.

Wang and Sugiono also reached an agreement on resuming cooperation in fisheries, and agreed to accelerate maritime cooperation and advance joint development.

The two nations also reaffirmed their commitment to fully and effectively implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, striving to conclude negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea at an early date and jointly fostering a new narrative of peace, friendship and cooperation in the South China Sea.

Wang said at the conference that the establishment of the mechanism is an important measure in implementing the consensus reached by the two heads of state, and advancing the building of a China-Indonesia community with a shared future.

As two major developing countries, it is the right time for China and Indonesia to strengthen strategic communication and deepen strategic cooperation, which carries far-reaching significance beyond the scope of bilateral ties, he said, adding that China is willing to work with Indonesia to strengthen all-round cooperation and pool greater development synergy to jointly tackle risks and challenges.

Beijing is also ready to work with Jakarta to set an example for Global South countries in pursuing strength through unity, Wang said.

The conference marks an important milestone in bilateral relations, Sugiono said.

China's development has brought tremendous opportunities to the world, particularly to neighboring countries such as Indonesia, and the two countries share closely intertwined interests, he said.

Sugiono said Indonesia looks forward to maintaining close exchanges with China, promoting cooperation and exchanges across various fields and advancing more dynamic, resilient and higher-level common development and prosperity.

Together with Defense Minister Dong Jun, Wang also attended the Second Ministerial Meeting of China-Indonesia Joint Foreign and Defense Ministerial Dialogue in Jakarta.