N

strong>Nov. 10, p1

Appearing upbeat and dressed in a stylish suit, President Joko '€œJokowi'€ Widodo met China'€™s President Xi Jinping on Sunday on the first leg of his first overseas trip since taking office on Oct. 20. Jokowi suggested the leader of the world'€™s second-biggest economy bolster ties through '€œconcrete'€ actions.

In his introduction note to Xi at his office in Beijing, Jokowi said Indonesia'€™s relationship with China, which stretched hundreds of years, was underlying capital to expand future strategic partnerships.

'€œIndonesia wants this relationship to materialize into more concrete outcomes so that the people of the two nations can reap mutual benefits,'€ said Jokowi, who was accompanied by Coordinating Economic Minister Sofyan Djalil, Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi, Trade Minister Rachmat Gobel and foreign affairs expert Rizal Sukma of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

Your comments:

Indonesia should not let this opening go. The Silk Road belt, and particularly the Maritime Silk Road, could answer a lot of Indonesia'€™s infrastructure challenges, as well as provide a greater opportunity for industry to move up the supply chain.

I understand that China is quite a large diplomatic investment because they are juggling a lot of balls and spinning many plates but it'€™s important that Indonesia participate as early as possible.

Would it not make sense to work with Russia in delivering these ports and rail networks as they have a good track record of technology and process transfer and are good mediators between China and India, or China and Brazil, etc. They are reliable and trustworthy.

Right now Indonesia could help Russia through some moral support as the US media and old colonial media channels are doing their best to intimidate them. Indonesia speaking up in their defense now would be appreciated, and from what I can see, the Russians always return the favor.

The other advantage is that Indonesia could simultaneously make a run at joining the BRICS.

Sony Jim

Yes, Mr. President, to build lots of infrastructure, like ports, maritime facilities, you need lots of cash and knowhow, not bond buying, (quantitative easing stimulated economy), so up till now you have done a good thing, just do it.

Animi

The game plan is massive development in Southeast Asia. One advantage of Chinese civil works is that they come in with their own workforce and efficiently get on with the work.

This does not always please locals hoping for spin offs within a corrupt and inept work regime.

Jagera

I think it'€™s a great thing.

The living standards of all people, improve with cooperation.

Bullum Waal

Great, Mr. President, you make your point clearly.

It is impressive. You are into real business for Indonesia.

Plasidus Monewalu

So, China will help Indonesia'€™s current account surplus and make Indonesia like China?

Tutkukap

I am not anti-Jokowi but I am aware that his doctrine could do more harm than good, especially if Indonesia is placed into a position that will jeopardize world trade by stopping or harassing every ship that is deemed too close to its shoreline as it passes through the Straits of Malacca.

Dick Tracy