JAKARTA, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- "China is seen as a pivotal partner for Indonesia as we strive to realize our Golden Indonesia 2045 Vision," said Antonius Sumarwan, a lecturer at Sanata Dharma University in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
In a recent interview with Xinhua, Sumarwan, who also serves as a researcher at Indonesia China Partnership Studies, elaborated on Indonesia's vision of Golden Indonesia 2045, a roadmap to achieving developed-nation status by the centenary of its independence in 2045.
According to him, the plan envisions a nation that is "sovereign, advanced, and sustainable," requiring robust international partnerships to bring this vision to fruition.
Among these partnerships, Sumarwan said that China has emerged as a central partner for Indonesia in this endeavor. China's growing economic strength further cements its importance to Indonesia.
"Maintaining and strengthening this economic partnership is essential for Indonesia," he said, identifying four key areas where China's contributions are indispensable.
The first point is trade, he said, highlighting that China has been Indonesia's largest trading partner for a long time.
The relationship extends beyond goods to strategic investments in sectors like renewable energy, manufacturing, and information technology. These investments are vital for boosting Indonesia's industrial capacity and enhancing its access to global markets, said the expert.
Infrastructure development forms the second key area of bilateral cooperation, particularly under the Belt and Road Initiative. He said that projects such as the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway exemplified China's role in modernizing Indonesia's infrastructure.
"Strong infrastructure is a crucial foundation for Indonesia's sustainable economic growth," he said, noting that enhanced connectivity and mobility within Indonesia are critical to achieving the archipelagic country's long-term development goals.
The third area is the digital economy, which Sumarwan described as "a primary pillar of Indonesia's Golden Indonesia 2045 Vision, targeting significant digitalization in various sectors, including education, healthcare, and the creative economy." Chinese tech giants like Huawei and ZTE are actively collaborating with Indonesia to accelerate digital transformation, which is laying the foundation for a tech-driven and innovative economy, he said.
"China's investments in renewable energy and eco-friendly technology are helping us transition away from fossil fuels," said Sumarwan, while referring to environmental sustainability as the fourth factor. Noting China's investments align with Indonesia's green development goals, he said these efforts support Indonesia's aspirations for a sustainable economy by 2045.
A close relationship with China is instrumental to Indonesia's pursuit of an inclusive, tech-driven, and sustainable future, Sumarwan concluded.
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