Beijing, Jakarta pledge to keep regional peace

China and Indonesia have pledged to strengthen economic ties and maintain peace and stability in the region, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi said yesterday after a meeting with his Indonesian counterpart, Retno Marsudi, in Jakarta.

Wang also called for all parties in the Gaza conflict to exercise restraint, and said the United States should support a United Nations resolution for a ceasefire in Gaza.

"The UN Security Council resolution on a ceasefire must be fully implemented and without any condition," Wang said.

Wang urged the United States to "listen to the international community" amid concerns over the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

"The UN Security Council is a collective security mechanism that must not be used by a certain country," Wang said.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said she hoped China would "would use its influence to prevent escalation" in Gaza, emphasizing the need for a two-state solution.

Indonesia and China, its largest trading and investment partner, are seeking to further strengthen economic ties through deepened investment in infrastructure, downstreaming, food sustainability and Indonesia's energy transition, Retno said.

Chinese investment in Indonesia reached more than US$7.4 billion (HK$57.7 billion) last year, she added.

Wang also met Indonesia's outgoing President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, discussing further economic partnerships, including possible investments in the transportation sector in the country's new capital and the petrochemical industry in North Kalimantan province, Retno said.

Wang also met Indonesia's president-elect and defence minister Prabowo Subianto, where they discussed a plan to have a joint military exercise between the two countries, the latter's ministry said.

Reuters