VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

President Joko Widodo last Monday (25/7) left for Beijing for a visit to three countries: China, Japan and South Korea. On July 26, 2022, he visits Beijing, while to Tokyo July 27, and to Seoul July 28. In China, President Joko Widodo meets Premier Li Keqiang and President Xi Jinping. In Japan, he will meet Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Meanwhile in South Korea, President Joko Widodo will meet President Yoon Suk-yeol.

Previously, Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi explained that the focus of President Joko Widodo's visit is to discuss strengthening economic cooperation, particularly in the fields of trade and investment. In addition, the latest developments in several regional and international issues will be discussed.

Chinese political observer, Tang Qifang, quoted by kompas.com, considered that President Joko Widodo's visit to his country reflects the neutral stance of the member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), towards China and the United States. He predicts that this visit will not only encourage increased bilateral trade and economic cooperation between China-Indonesia and China-ASEAN, but also promote peace and global development. Indonesia's neutral stance is reflected in the visit of the Indonesian President not only to China, but also to Japan and South Korea, countries that have been allies of the United States.

Another thing that also shows Indonesia's neutral stance is that the day before President Joko Widodo left for Beijing, the US Military Joint Chief of Staff, Mark A. Milley, visited Indonesia. He was received by Chief of Indonesian Armed Forces, General Andika Perkasa at the TNI Headquarters Plaza, in Cilangkap, Jakarta. According to the TNI Headquarters’ statement, the visit of the US Commander Armed Forces is aimed at building military cooperation. Indonesia's stance that builds partnerships with any country based on the principle of free and active politics can indeed encourage the creation of stability both regionally and globally.