DEPOK (05/06/2026) – The architecture of bilateral relations between Indonesia and China has officially entered a new, more tactical phase focused on mastering future technologies. The Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to China and Mongolia, Djauhari Oratmangun, emphasized that the roadmap for future partnership between the two countries will be fully concentrated on four main pillars: artificial intelligence (AI) sovereignty, energy security, food security, and acceleration of human resource quality. This grand strategy was comprehensively presented at the 18th Ambassador Forum discussion titled “A New Stage and New Vision for China-Indonesia Relations,” organized by the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies (RDCY) in collaboration with the School of Global Leadership at Renmin University in Beijing.

The artificial intelligence sector is targeted as the first vital instrument that can be integrated to optimize public service governance, from digitalization in healthcare, education, disaster mitigation, social protection guarantees, to smart city construction. Djauhari outlined that amid escalating global fiscal pressures and high macro societal demands, AI adoption becomes an absolute solution draft to ensure the government can still deliver excellent public services despite facing limited budget support resources. Strengthening this technological sovereignty is considered aligned with the second pillar: energy security. Given that every digital ecosystem, such as data centers and smart factories, requires reliable electricity supply, Indonesia, which controls about 40 percent of global geothermal potential and is the world’s largest palm oil producer, is in a strategic position to collaborate with China, which currently leads the global renewable energy landscape.

In the food security cluster as the third pillar, the dynamics of climate change threatening global agricultural productivity open up decarbonization opportunities through transfer of precision agriculture technology, smart irrigation systems, and AI-based mechanization. This step is considered highly contextual with Indonesia’s domestic draft, where the presence of the Free Nutritious Meal Program is projected to boost the national food demand curve and strengthen the local agricultural supply chain structure from upstream to downstream. To support these three technological pillars, the fourth focus is allocated to strengthening human resource capacity through joint research schemes, industrial apprenticeship programs, vocational education standardization, academic exchanges between universities, and development of cutting-edge technology curricula.

This substantive cooperative relationship moves on a very solid economic foundation over the past decade, where China has consistently maintained its position as Indonesia’s largest trading partner while ranking among the top three foreign investors. Throughout 2025, the accumulated bilateral trade value between the two countries reportedly reached 167 billion US dollars, with realized Chinese investment in Indonesia reaching 7.5 billion US dollars, a fiscal performance record showing a tripling of trade value and a 12-fold surge in investment growth over the past ten years. Iconic projects such as the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway as a pioneer of fast transportation in Southeast Asia, and the firmness of domestic nickel industry downstreaming policy to supply raw materials for global electric vehicle batteries, stand as authentic evidence of the success of this South-South diplomacy, also marked by the massive expansion of 16 Chinese electric vehicle brands in the Indonesian market.

Approaching the end of his tenure since first stationed in Beijing in 2018, Ambassador Djauhari stated that the greatest diplomatic legacy he wishes to leave after nearly eight years of service is strengthening the habit of dialogue at the elite leadership level of both countries. This diplomatic authority believes that no matter how strong the turbulence of future geopolitical challenges, the consistency of dialogue space will ensure that Indonesia-China relations continue to move rationally in facing differences, constructively in unraveling obstacles, and optimistically looking toward the future. Closing the discussion, which was also attended by senior researcher Luo Zhiqin and Executive Director of the Shanghai Southeast Asia Studies Center Luo Yongkun, Djauhari emphasized that the main parameter of the success of technology investment and economic growth must ultimately lead to human values and the expansion of better life opportunities for the wider community.

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Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway

The Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway is a landmark infrastructure project connecting Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, with the city of Bandung. Officially inaugurated in October 2023, it is the first high-speed rail line in Southeast Asia, reducing travel time between the two cities from over three hours to around 40 minutes. The railway is a key part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, funded and built by a consortium led by Chinese and Indonesian state-owned enterprises.

Renmin University in Beijing

Renmin University of China, located in Beijing, is a prestigious national university founded in 1937 during the Second Sino-Japanese War, originally as the Shanbei Public School. It was later renamed and reestablished in 1950 as the first comprehensive university under the new People’s Republic of China, with a strong focus on humanities and social sciences. Today, it remains a leading institution known for its academic excellence and influence in Chinese higher education.

Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies (RDCY)

The Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies (RDCY) is a leading Chinese think tank based at Renmin University of China, established in 2013. It focuses on financial research, international economic cooperation, and public policy, with a particular emphasis on the Belt and Road Initiative and global governance reform. The institute has gained recognition for its influential reports and dialogue platforms that bridge Chinese and international perspectives on finance and development.

School of Global Leadership

The School of Global Leadership is an educational institution focused on developing skills in cross-cultural communication, strategic thinking, and ethical decision-making for future leaders. While specific historical details are limited, it likely emerged from the growing need for global competency in an interconnected world, emphasizing collaborative problem-solving across diverse contexts. The school aims to equip students with the tools to address complex international challenges through innovative programs and experiential learning.

Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia is a culturally and geographically diverse region comprising countries like Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines, historically shaped by powerful empires such as the Khmer, Srivijaya, and Majapahit, as well as Indian and Chinese influences. It was a major hub for maritime trade and later experienced colonization by European powers, leading to a blend of indigenous traditions and colonial legacies. Today, the region is known for its vibrant cultures, ancient temples like Angkor Wat, and dynamic modern cities that reflect its complex history.

Shanghai Southeast Asia Studies Center

The Shanghai Southeast Asia Studies Center is a research institution based in Shanghai, China, focused on the academic study of Southeast Asian politics, economies, and cultures. Established to foster regional understanding and cooperation, it serves as a platform for scholars and policymakers to analyze historical and contemporary ties between China and Southeast Asia. The center plays a key role in promoting dialogue and research on issues such as trade, security, and cultural exchange in the Asia-Pacific region.