Xi Jinping Resumes In-Person Summit Diplomacy, Emphasizes Belt and Road in Meeting with Indonesian President

Regarding the Ukraine War, Described as a 'Crisis'
Also Mentioned the Need to "Create Conditions to Promote Reconciliation"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] Chinese President Xi Jinping resumed face-to-face summit meetings, which had been virtually suspended since the COVID-19 pandemic, by holding talks with Indonesian President Joko Widodo. He particularly emphasized the Belt and Road Initiative (一帶一路: the overland and maritime Silk Road connecting China, Central Asia, and Europe) cooperation and highlighted the joint prosperity of the two countries' economies.

According to major local media including the Chinese state-run People's Daily on the 27th, President Xi met with President Joko Widodo at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing the previous day. The two leaders exchanged views on bilateral relations and international and regional issues, and discussed political, economic, cultural, and maritime cooperation.

According to the joint statement released after the meeting, President Xi said, "He is the first foreign leader invited by China since the Beijing Olympics," and added, "This shows the high interest both countries have in developing relations with Indonesia."

He continued, "China and Indonesia are at similar stages of development, and their common interests are interconnected," emphasizing, "Building a community with a shared future is the common voice and universal expectation of the peoples of both countries."

President Xi also mentioned the need to 'continuously' deepen Belt and Road cooperation. He explained, "China supports Indonesia in establishing a regional vaccine production center and hopes to strengthen public health cooperation, as well as expand imports of Indonesian bulk goods and high-quality agricultural products." He further stated that financial and loan cooperation will be expanded to foster new growth hubs in areas such as the construction of Indonesia's new capital city, the North Kalimantan industrial park, the digital economy, and green development.

China also expressed strong support for the upcoming G20 summit to be held in Indonesia on the 11th. President Joko Widodo invited President Xi to Indonesia for the G20 meeting, to which President Xi expressed his gratitude.

President Joko Widodo also wished success for the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, expected to be held in mid-October, praising, "Under President Xi's strong leadership, China will achieve even greater accomplishments."

Additionally, the two leaders exchanged views on the 'Ukraine crisis,' with the People's Daily reporting that they agreed the international community should create conditions to promote reconciliation, play a constructive role in easing tensions in Ukraine and stabilizing the global economic order, and jointly protect the hard-won peace and stability in the region.

Meanwhile, President Xi held a dinner accompanied by his spouse, attended by Party Secretary Ding Xuesong of the Central Office, Politburo member Yang Jiechi, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and He Lifeng, Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission of China.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.