China, Indonesia enhance ties with key deals on lithium, green energy, tourism

BEIJING – China and Indonesia have agreed to strengthen cooperation in key sectors, including lithium, new-energy vehicles, green energy and tourism, according to a joint statement released on Nov 9.

The statement followed a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, who is on a visit to China until Nov 10. It is the first country he has visited since taking office in October.

Mr Prabowo, who won Indonesia’s presidential election in February, also chose

China as the first country to visit as president-elect

, underscoring Jakarta’s commitment to strengthening its strategic ties with Beijing.

“China and Indonesia will work together to cultivate new drivers of global development, exploring cooperation potential in areas such as new-energy vehicles, lithium batteries and photovoltaics, while seizing opportunities in digital economy and green development sectors,” the statement said.

Both nations also plan to collaborate more closely in the mining sector, leveraging their respective resource endowments and production capacities.

On Nov 10, Chinese battery materials producer GEM signed a deal with nickel miner Vale Indonesia to build a high-pressure acid leaching plant in Central Sulawesi, to secure nickel resources, a Shenzhen filing showed. Mr Prabowo witnessed the signing.

The nickel industry in Indonesia, the world’s largest producer of the metal, is dominated by Chinese companies like Tsingshan Holding Group and Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt.

In efforts to revive and surpass pre-pandemic tourism levels, the two countries will introduce new visa measures, including multi-entry long-term visas, and encourage more direct flights and destinations based on demand.

During Mr Prabowo’s visit, both sides signed several cooperation deals, including in housing and the export of fresh coconuts from Indonesia to China. REUTERS