Meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister, Jokowi Asks for Completion of Feasibility Study for Surabaya High-speed Train to be Accelerated

The President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo (Jokowi). (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi paid a courtesy visit to President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, today. One of the things discussed at the meeting was the fast train project.

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi revealed that President Jokowi and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi discussed the issue of the Jakarta-Bandung Whoosh Fast Train. He also requested that there be an accelerated completion of the feasibility study for extending the route to Surabaya.

"Mr. President spoke about the issue of the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train and encouraged technology transfer, as well as the need to accelerate the completion of the feasibility study for extending the route to Surabaya," he said at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, Thursday, April 18.

Apart from discussing fast trains, Retno said that Jokowi's meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi also discussed development cooperation in the Indonesian Capital City (IKN).

"Another thing is still in the field of economic cooperation, Mr. President encourages development cooperation in IKN, including for modes of transportation," explained Retno.

Jakarta Bandung Fast Train or Whoosh. (Irfan Meidianto)

Retno also said that Jokowi and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi also discussed the issue of food security. According to him, food security is very important.

"Because it is important to improve agricultural cooperation between the two countries, including or especially for rice, horticulture, and also durian, one of which is studying China's agricultural modeling," she said.

Previously it was reported that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi would pay official visits to a number of countries, namely Indonesia, Cambodia and Papua New Guinea upon invitation, according to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

The Chinese diplomat will start his visit on April 18 and last until April 23, as quoted.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Wang Yi would also chair the fourth meeting of China and Indonesia's high-level dialogue cooperation mechanism.