China, Indonesia Expand Defence Partnership Amid Regional Tensions

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Jakarta: China and Indonesia held significant talks on Friday, focussing on security, military, and political cooperation, as Jakarta attempts to maintain balanced relations with both Beijing and Washington.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Defence Minister Dong Jun met with their Indonesian counterparts, Sugiono and Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, in Jakarta for the first 2+2 discussion mechanism.

The meetings come just days after China and Indonesia held a joint naval exercise east of Taiwan, which Taipei condemned as a ‘military provocation’. Indonesia referred to the practice as a routine exercise.

The two parties agreed to strengthen military cooperation through joint exercises, military education, and personnel exchanges. Indonesia also intends to send military troops to China for training, while both nations will look into expanding defence-industry collaboration.

China and Indonesia are also pursuing tighter collaboration in energy, minerals, artificial intelligence, satellites, technology, and fisheries.

Indonesia pursues a free and active foreign policy, seeking to strengthen relationships with both China and the United States. Analysts believe the talks do not necessarily indicate a strategic tilt toward China.