Indonesian Ambassador to China Djauhari Oratmangun, who has been invited to observe this year's annual sessions of China's top legislature and top political advisory body, has outlined new observations and identified fresh opportunities for cooperation, especially in the field of sub-national and new energy partnerships.
The fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) and the fourth session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) opened in Beijing on March 5 and March 4, respectively. A main focus is the adoption of the country's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) for national socioeconomic development, a key blueprint guiding China's drive toward modernization.
Djauhari, a veteran diplomat who has served as the Indonesian Ambassador to China for nearly eight years, listened to this year's Chinese government work report delivered by Premier Li Qiang at the NPC session on March 5. The report outlined a slew of measures and policy support to boost development, including continuing to expand high-standard opening up, achieving self-reliance and strength in science and technology, and accelerating green transition across the board.
Djauhari said he promptly began to formulate his annual work plan after listening to the report, highlighting key areas for Indonesian enterprises operating in China.
"From this year's two sessions, Indonesian enterprises should watch closely China's continued focus on high-quality development, technological innovation, green transition and opening up. These policies will create new opportunities for investment, partnership and market access. Till the end of March, and I'd love to go to other cities besides Beijing to meet people there, and to establish cooperation between provinces in China and with provinces in Indonesia," he said.
The ambassador recounted his visit to the tech hub of Shenzhen City in south China, which is a special economic zone and a vanguard of China's opening up efforts, before the Chinese New Year holiday in February.
During his trip, he observed the city's efforts to build a globally influential industrial and technological innovation center. He noted a strong pioneering spirit among many young local entrepreneurs.
Over his nearly eight-year tenure as Ambassador to China, Djauhari said he has witnessed significant transformations in China's infrastructure development, ecological environment governance, and scientific and technological innovation.
He particularly emphasized China's current advantages in electric vehicles, battery technology, and renewable energy, which he believes are highly complementary to Indonesia's rich natural resources.
"Indonesia and China already have strong foundations in new energy cooperation. We will continue to have a strengthened cooperation in battery manufacturing and EV assembly, particularly through joint venture and industrial park [establishment], improve supply chain resilience, including logistics, technology transfer and skilled workforce development. And finally, [we can] explore third country markets together," said Djauhari.
China stands as Indonesia's largest trading partner. As this year marks the beginning of China's 15th Five-Year Plan and the fifth anniversary of the China-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, Djauhari expressed his hope that Indonesian enterprises would seize the opportunities presented by China's expanded high-level opening up and the policy dividends from the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement to broaden their reach in the vast Chinese market.
He highlighted the launch of the "zero-tariff" policy in the Hainan Free Trade Port in south China, which launched island-wide special customs operations starting Dec. 18 last year, as a new opportunity for Indonesian businesses.
"I do believe that the development of the Hainan Free Trade Port creates new opportunities for cooperation between China [and] Indonesia as well as [between] ASEAN and China. For Indonesian, ASEAN companies, Hainan can serve as a testing ground, distribution and co-production hub. Businesses can introduce products in Hainan, benefit from preferential policies and then expand into the broader market, meaning the Chinese market or world market. The free trade port will also support cooperation in tourism, services trade, and cross-border e-commerce," said Djauhari.
Indonesia, China should further enhance sub-national , new energy cooperation: ambassador
