VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOI, Jakarta - Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) praised China's interest to invest in the housing and health sectors for the new capital city (IKN) Nusantara in East Kalimantan.

Jokowi made this statement during a meeting with Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang at the Diaoyutai State Guest House, Beijing, China, on Tuesday.

"I appreciate the design planning cooperation between IKN Nusantara and Shenzhen City and also Chinese private companies' interest to invest in the housing and health sectors in IKN," the president remarked.

IKN has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Shenzhen City, which in the last four decades has transformed from a small city to a metropolis, for the construction of Indonesia's new capital city.

"We also ask for your support to accelerate the realization of investment in IKN Nusantara," Jokowi told PM Qiang.

In addition, the president lauded the positive development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries over the last decade where China has become Indonesia's largest trading partner and second-largest investor.

According to Jokowi, this strong cooperation helps strengthen regional and international cooperation where peace and stability are the main issues.

During the meeting, Jokowi was accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, interim Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment as well as State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Minister Erick Thohir and Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan.

Meanwhile, PM Qiang was accompanied by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ma Zhaoxu, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Tang Renjian, Deputy Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission Cong Liang, Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia Lu Kang, Director of the Prime Minister's Office Kang Xuping, Director General of the ASEAN Department of the Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry Li Jinsong, and Assistant of Foreign Affairs Minister Nong Rong.

On September 6, 2023, PM Qiang took a test ride on the Jakarta-Bandung Fast Train (KCJB) along with Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan. Thereafter, on September 8, 2023, PM Qiang met with President Jokowi at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta.

Furthermore, on September 16, 2023, PM Qiang also met with Vice President Ma'ruf Amin during his visit to Nanning, China, to discuss investment in high-speed trains to electric cars (Antaranews)