In a meeting held in Jakarta, the foreign ministers of China and Indonesia have jointly urged for an immediate and lasting cease-fire in Gaza. They expressed deep concern over the humanitarian toll of Israel's ongoing conflict with Hamas. The Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs emphasized the shared view of both countries on the necessity of a cease-fire and the importance of resolving the Palestinian issue through a two-state solution.
China has pledged to utilize its influence to prevent further escalation of the conflict and has extended full support for Palestine's membership in the United Nations. The meeting, part of a six-day tour by the Chinese Foreign Minister, also touched upon the situations in Papua New Guinea and Cambodia.
During the discussions, the Chinese Foreign Minister criticized the United States for obstructing cease-fire resolutions at the U.N. Security Council. He highlighted the prolonged conflict in Gaza and the dire humanitarian crisis it has engendered. The U.S. had previously vetoed several proposed resolutions, citing the need to link cease-fire agreements with the release of Israeli hostages and condemn Hamas' provocations.
China and Indonesia, as major economic partners, also deliberated on their robust economic ties, with China being Indonesia's largest trading partner and a significant foreign investor in the country. The trade volume between the two nations has exceeded $127 billion, with substantial Chinese investments amounting to over $7.4 billion in 2023.
Later engagements for the Chinese Foreign Minister include meetings with Indonesian President Joko Widodo and president-elect Prabowo Subianto, who currently serves as the defense minister of Indonesia.
