Jakarta. President Prabowo Subianto and House Speaker Puan Maharani hosted Wang Huning, Chairman of China’s National People’s Congress (NPC), at the Presidential Palace and the Parliamentary Complex on Thursday, signaling a deepening of bilateral ties and parliamentary cooperation between Indonesia and China.

The visit opened with a traditional ceremonial welcome featuring regional dances. State Secretariat Minister Prasetyo Hadi also greeted Wang before he was formally received by President Prabowo. The two leaders posed for photos, and Wang signed the guest book in the presence of the media.

During the meeting, Prabowo introduced Teddy Wijaya, Head of the State Secretariat, along with other senior officials to Wang. The leaders then held a private tête-à-tête session with representatives from both countries.

Wang arrived in Jakarta on Wednesday afternoon as part of China’s parliamentary diplomacy, aimed at strengthening future cooperation with Indonesia. Beyond the Presidential Palace, Wang also met Indonesian lawmakers at the Parliamentary Complex in Senayan.

Strengthening Parliamentary and Multilateral Cooperation
House Speaker Puan Maharani hosted Wang Huning, who also serves as Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, to discuss collaboration on national and global challenges.

During the meeting on Dec. 3, Puan highlighted Indonesia and China’s active roles in multilateral forums, reflecting their shared commitment to revitalizing multilateralism amid climate crises and global economic inequality.

“We would like to specifically appreciate China for its active role as an observer at the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly through its National People’s Congress,” she said.

Puan also noted both parliaments’ participation in BRICS-led agendas, including the 11th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in Brasilia, Brazil, in June 2025. “In an increasingly polarized world, international forums initiated by ASEAN and BRICS play a greater role in strengthening an international system grounded in fairness and equality,” she said.

Bilateral Economic and Trade Ties
Puan emphasized the rapid growth of economic relations between Indonesia and China. Trade between the two countries reached $147.8 billion in 2024, while Chinese investment in Indonesia totaled $8.2 billion, making China Indonesia’s third-largest foreign investor.

Several cooperation agreements have been signed, including initiatives promoting the use of local currencies in trade and supporting economic and industrial development. Puan added, “I hope Indonesia and China will continue expanding their constructive cooperation to improve mutual economic and social welfare outcomes and contribute to broader economic progress for the developing world.”

The visit follows Prabowo’s attendance at China’s largest military parade on Wednesday, where he joined 25 other world leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, as Chinese President Xi Jinping showcased the country’s military arsenal at Tiananmen Square. Prabowo observed the parade alongside Putin and was positioned in the front row for a group photo with Xi, Putin, and Kim.

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