China’s recent inclusion of Indonesia in its 240-hour visa-free transit program is a notable, if not entirely surprising, development. While Indonesia is now among the 55 countries benefiting from this arrangement, the move signals a step forward in the broader relationship between the two nations. For Indonesian travelers, it’s an opportunity to enter China for up to 10 days without a visa, provided they’re in transit to a third country. While this is certainly a positive shift, it should be viewed not just as a diplomatic gesture but as an opening for Indonesia to push for further mobility reforms.
This is long overdue. For years, Indonesian citizens—especially businesspeople—have struggled with China’s cumbersome visa process. The long waits, inconsistent requirements, and high fees have made routine travel unnecessarily difficult. These obstacles appear to have consequences: delayed deals, missed conferences, and stunted collaboration in sectors ranging from manufacturing to education.
China is Indonesia’s largest trading partner, and both governments frequently emphasize their desire to deepen economic and cultural ties. Yet until now, Indonesia remained excluded from many of China’s short-term visa arrangements. The new transit policy is therefore a welcome sign of progress—but only a beginning.
Jakarta should now capitalize on this momentum and place mobility reform squarely on the bilateral agenda. If President Prabowo Subianto wants to signal a forward-looking approach to China, this is a timely and tangible issue to prioritize—one that directly supports business engagement, investment, tourism, and academic collaboration.
A clear next step would be to negotiate a 30-day visa waiver for Indonesian travelers visiting China for tourism or short-term business. Several of Indonesia’s regional peers, including Malaysia, already enjoy such privileges. If a full waiver is not immediately possible, a tiered facilitation program could be introduced. For example, fast-track access could be extended to those with previous travel history, verified business or academic affiliations, or multi-entry needs.
In return, Indonesia should request more balanced terms. Chinese nationals currently benefit from a visa-on-arrival policy that allows for a stay of up to 30 days at a minimal cost. Indonesia has made mobility easy for Chinese visitors. It is only fair to expect a similar level of openness in return.
Such changes don’t have to be sweeping at first. Pilot programs could be launched for specific categories—such as entrepreneurs, researchers, or students—who already have institutional ties. These targeted efforts would reduce administrative risks while building a foundation of trust and demonstrating the feasibility of broader liberalization.
Some may question whether visa policy deserves space on the president’s agenda, especially amid higher-profile issues like trade imbalances or regional security. But this misses the point. In today’s economy, mobility is not a luxury—it is infrastructure. Just as ports and digital networks enable commerce, so does the ability of people to move freely and efficiently across borders. Without this, trade missions stall, partnerships weaken, and bilateral promises remain unrealized.
Indonesia, the world’s fourth most populous nation and the largest economy in ASEAN, is working to raise its global profile. Yet its passport ranks only 66th globally, well below its economic peers. The visa burden Indonesians face when traveling to China reflects not just logistical inconvenience, but a deeper imbalance in the relationship, one that Jakarta should no longer overlook.
China’s visa-free transit policy is a small but symbolic gesture. For Indonesia, it should be viewed as a strategic opening. Rather than settling for this limited progress, President Prabowo’s administration should respond with a specific and ambitious proposal: a 30-day visa exemption or, at the very least, a structured system to ease access for qualified travelers.
This is not simply about making travel easier. It is about turning the rhetoric of partnership into practice by ensuring that mobility matches the scale of trade, investment, and political cooperation between the two nations. Beijing has taken a first step. Now Jakarta must make its own move: one that affirms its role as a confident, equal partner in a rapidly evolving regional order.
This article was co-authored by Yeta Purnama, a researcher at the Center of Economic and Law Studies (CELIOS), and Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat, Director of the China-Indonesia Desk at CELIOS.
