China Seeks Policy Certainty for Indonesian Mineral Sector

SHANGHAI – China has expressed its hope that the Indonesian government can provide a stable and transparent policy environment for the minerals sector, as economic ties between the two countries grow ever closer.

Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao conveyed this during a meeting in Shanghai with Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto. Quoting Bloomberg News on Saturday (18/7), Wang also called for the acceleration of major projects, including the “Two Countries, Twin Parks” initiative, as well as expanded cooperation in industry and supply chains, according to the statement.

China is Indonesia’s largest trading partner and a leading investor in the country’s commodities and infrastructure sectors, including the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed rail project and nickel processing.

Beijing’s appeal for stability comes after months of policy uncertainty under the government of President Prabowo Subianto.

Investors have faced shifting government attitudes towards mining permits, downstream processing, and export rules in the Prabowo era, raising questions over investment climate certainty even as Jakarta continues efforts to attract foreign investment.

“China hopes Indonesia can provide a fair business environment for Chinese investment and rejects economic decoupling and supply chain disruption,” Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Airlangga during the meeting in Shanghai on Saturday (18/7), as quoted by Bloomberg News.

Airlangga said Indonesia would expand trade and investment ties with China and deepen cooperation in the digital economy and supply chains.