Indonesia Seeks Key Role in Global AI Body, Deepens Economic Ties with China
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto has proposed that Indonesia secure a key position in the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO), a new international body focused on global AI cooperation. The proposal was made during a high-level bilateral meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Shanghai on Friday (18/7/2026), as part of the agenda for signing WAICO’s founding declaration. Airlangga emphasized that Indonesia intends to play a larger role in shaping global AI governance, aligning with its status as a founding member of the organization. The Indonesian government expects WAICO to prioritize equitable development benefits, a human-centred approach, national sovereignty, and inclusive multilateralism consistent with UN principles. Airlangga specifically requested China’s support for Indonesia to occupy a key position within the organization’s secretariat.
During the meeting, Wang Yi conveyed a message from Chinese President Xi Jinping to President Prabowo Subianto, expressing appreciation for Indonesia’s decision to become a founding member of WAICO. China views Indonesia’s participation as significant due to its representation of a major developing nation with a large population and economy. Airlangga noted that Indonesia’s involvement in establishing WAICO was carried out under the direct instruction of President Prabowo Subianto, and the Indonesian government welcomed President Xi’s initiative in promoting the formation of the global AI organization.
Beyond AI governance, Airlangga and Wang Yi discussed strengthening bilateral economic relations. Airlangga highlighted the need to accelerate market access for Indonesian export products to China, noting that China remains Indonesia’s largest trading partner with significant room for trade growth. The Indonesian government is pushing for the resolution of trade barriers and the strengthening of supply chain integration between the two nations. On the investment front, Airlangga offered enhanced cooperation in industrial zone development through the Two Countries Twin Parks (TCTP) scheme and invited major Chinese companies to invest in Indonesia’s high-tech manufacturing and digital economy sectors. He also proposed accelerating green investment, including a 100 gigawatt solar power plant project, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), and the development of an electric vehicle battery ecosystem at the Morowali Green Industrial Park. The meeting concluded with Indonesia’s support for China’s chairmanship of APEC 2026 in Shenzhen, with a proposal to use the forum as a momentum for a high-level business meeting between President Prabowo Subianto and President Xi Jinping.