China and Indonesia on Monday celebrated the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and commemorated the 70th anniversary of the Asian-African Conference, also known as the Bandung Conference.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Defense Minister Dong Jun attended the celebratory event in Beijing, along with Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono and Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said in a speech that China and Indonesia are good neighbors across the sea and good friends with a shared future.
Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 75 years ago, the traditional friendship between the two countries has withstood the test of time and grown stronger, and bilateral practical cooperation has achieved fruitful results, Wang said.
He said China-Indonesia ties, which have weathered rain and shine and gone through trials and tribulations, have achieved remarkable accomplishments and taught valuable lessons including adhering to the leadership of the heads of state, sticking to strategic independence, committing to mutual benefit and win-win results, and upholding fairness and justice.
Under the new circumstances, Wang said, China stands ready to work with Indonesia to jointly promote the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and the Bandung Spirit and push for the Global South to seek great strength through solidarity.
In his speech, Sugiono said that in a world fraught with uncertainties, greater unity between the two countries is needed more than ever before.
Indonesia is willing to work with China to promote bilateral relations towards a new era of common prosperity, he said.
China and Indonesia held the First Ministerial Meeting of Joint Foreign and Defense Ministerial Dialogue in the Chinese capital on Monday.
Bandung, capital city of Indonesia's West Java province, hosted the first Asian-African Conference in April 1955, marking the first time that countries in the Global South united to oppose imperialism and colonialism in defense of their sovereign rights and a more equitable world.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with his Indonesian counterpart Sugiono in Beijing on Monday, with both sides hailing the robust growth of bilateral ties.
To celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, Wang said that China and Indonesia should jointly develop emerging industries like green energy and the digital economy, as well as expand mutually beneficial cooperation.
Wang highlighted key projects such as the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway and "Two Countries, Twin Parks" as benchmarks for connectivity.
The Chinese foreign minister said both sides should uphold free trade, promote two-way investment, and build a secure, stable, and smooth industrial and supply chain.
Wang added that China is willing to import more Indonesian products, and that he hopes the Indonesian government will safeguard the rights and interests of Chinese-funded institutions and personnel in Indonesia.
Sugiono said China is Indonesia's largest trading partner, and a major source of foreign investment.
He added that Indonesia is committed to comprehensively deepening its relations with China, and looks forward to strengthening exchanges at all levels.
Chinese FM holds talks with Indonesian counterpart on bilateral ties