VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, held a bilateral meeting Wednesday (13/1/2021) afternoon, at the Pancasila Building, Jakarta.

Wang Yi's visit to Indonesia is the first time in early 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A number of issues were discussed by the two Foreign Ministers, related to cooperation in the sectors of the economy, health, protection of Indonesian crews (ABK), to the stability of the South China Sea.

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said Indonesia was interested in working together in the health sector, as an effort to build national health resilience.

"In the future, I convey to State Councillor Wang Yi, Indonesia's plans to build national health resilience, among others, through the independence of the drug industry, medicinal raw materials, and medical devices. Indonesia intends to collaborate with China and other countries in relation to this plan, "said Retno Marsudi, when giving a press statement on Wednesday (13/1/2021) online.

Retno added that the PRC is an Indonesian partner related to health sector cooperation since the COVID-19 pandemic.

"From the bilateral side, since the beginning of the pandemic, we have collaborated with various countries, including China, in the field of providing diagnostic tools, therapeutics, and vaccines," added Retno.

In the trade cooperation sector, according to Retno, China is expected to provide a way out of the obstacles that are still being faced.

"Apart from that, I have also underlined the importance of overcoming trade barriers, especially, I mentioned, market access for Indonesia's top exports to China, for example fishery products, tropical fruit, swallow's nest, and of course palm oil," said Retno.

He said that Indonesia encouraging economic cooperation would create a friendly environment and absorb Indonesian workers.

"In the context of economic cooperation, it is important to continue to improve investment cooperation that is quality, environmentally friendly, and which can absorb Indonesian workers," he explained.

At the meeting that took place in Jakarta, the two parties also signed a Memorandum of Understanding to Increase Joint Activities between the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC.

Also, the Lambakan Dam Feasibility Study document in East Kalimantan.

The percentage of Indonesia's exports to China throughout 2020 is said to have increased by up to 10% when the global economy is facing severe shocks due to the pandemic.

The two foreign ministers also discussed regional and global issues, one of which was related to the South China Sea (SCS).

Retno Marsudi emphasized the importance of maintaining the SCS as a peaceful and stable sea.

"To achieve this, there is only one thing that must be done by all countries, namely respecting and implementing international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS," said Retno. (RRI)