Xi Jingping Was Re-elected As President Of China: What Is The Future Of Relations With Indonesia?

The Standing Committee of the CPC Politburo (left): Han Zheng, Wang Huning, Li Zhansu, Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Wang Yang and Zhao Leji. (China.org/Xinhua/Li Tao)

JAKARTA - Xi Jinping was re-elected as Secretary General of the Chinese Communist Party (CPC), as well as President of China in a closed vote of the CPC National Congress which was attended by around 2,400 delegates on October 23, 2022. Jinping was also re-appointed as Chairman of the Central Military Commission.

With this achievement, Jinping's position is unshakable to return to his third term as President of China at the annual meeting of the National People's Congress in March.

Chinese state media has even named Xi Jinping the strongest Chinese leader after Mao Zedong.

"I would like to thank all parties for the trust that has been given. I promise to prove and deserve great trust from our party and people," Jinping said in his speech after the voting results were announced as reported bywionews.com.

After more than 40 years of relentless efforts towards reform and openness, China under its control has created two successes, rapid economic development and long-term development as an effort to social stability.

"China cannot develop without a world, and the world also needs China," he said.

In his speech, Jinping also revived Taiwan's problems and warned other countries not to interfere in this matter.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un immediately congratulate Xi Jinping for the unprecedented third five-year term as Secretary General of the CPC.

Melansirasia.nikkei, dalam pesan telegram, Putin berharap bisa melanjutkan kemitraan komprehensif dan kerja sama strategis dengan China. Pencapaian Xi Jinping, menurut Putin, menjadi penegasan otoritas politik dan pengaranya yang tak mestikan di China.

China has refrained from condemning Russian aggression against Ukraine, while opposing sanctions imposed by Western countries. Beijing and Moscow have strengthened cooperation recently as their relations with the United States have deteriorated.

"From the bottom of my heart, I wish you, dear friend, success in new achievements, continue to be given health and well-being," said Putin.

Separately, Kim Jong-un is optimistic that CPC will achieve a brilliant victory in a new journey to maintain and develop socialism that fits China's characteristics.

"And to build a modern socialist country under your leadership," said Kim.

Together with Jinping, Kim will form a more beautiful future for bilateral relations that meet the demands of the times and work strongly to encourage socialist movements in both countries.

China is North Korea's closest and most influential ally in terms of the economy.

President Jokowi also congratulated Xi Jinping.

"Congratulations to President Xi Jinping for being re-elected as Secretary General of the CPC. Waiting to work together further in strengthening the RI-China partnership and promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and its surroundings," Jokowi wrote on his Instagram account on August 24, 2022.

However, China is the largest business partner for Indonesia. In 2021 alone, the value of trade in goods between Indonesia and China grew 54.03 percent from the previous year. This value is the highest since 1989.

Indonesia's exports of goods to China grew 69.22 percent year on year to 53.78 billion US dollars in 2021. On the other hand, Indonesian goods imports from China grew 41.86 percent to 56.22 billion US dollars in the same period.

Indonesia-China bilateral relations are also getting closer at this time. When meeting with Prime Minister Li Keqiang and President Xi Jinping in Beijing on July 26, 2022, the two countries agreed on a number of things, namely:

RRT (Chinese People's Republic) is a comprehensive strategic partner of Infonesia. We must fulfill this partnership with beneficial cooperation for our country, and at the same time for the region and the world," said President Jokowi.

Based on data from the Ministry of Investment/BKPM, the value of Chinese investment in Indonesia reached 3.62 billion US dollars with a total of 1,020 projects throughout January-June 2022.

Investment Minister/Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Bahlil Lahadalia is optimistic that China's investment in Indonesia will be even better if Xi Jinping is re-elected as President of China for a term of office in the next five years.

Despite the economic slowdown in China, he still believes investment in the bamboo curtain country will not be disrupted.

"Hopefully we can work on investment that iswin-win, investment that is mutually beneficial with Indonesia. I also believe, in sha Allah, Indonesia's investment in Indonesia is increasing day by day in a context that is mutually beneficial, respectful, and growing together, especially in the context of job creation and additional value," Bahlil said in his presentation on investment realization in the third quarter of 2022 in Jakarta.