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Indonesia and China’s Battery Alliance Must Be Built on Sustainability

In a bold display of ambition and diplomacy, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto stood beside Chinese executives last week to break ground on what is touted as Asia’s largest integrated electric vehicle (EV) battery ecosystem. Backed by $5.9 billion in ...

China’s Big Bet on Indonesian Nickel Faces a Harsh Reckoning

For years, China raced to secure the critical minerals needed to fuel its economy and the global clean energy transition. Nickel was supposed to be one of the surest bets. Now, one of China’s largest investments in Indonesia’s nickel industry is unraveling—and with it, some of the ...

China Eases Transit Rules for Indonesians. Jakarta Should Push for More.

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 ...

ASEAN, Gulf, and China Signal New Phase in Global South Climate Leadership

For decades, global climate action has been largely shaped by the Global North—through frameworks like the Paris Agreement and funding mechanisms such as the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JET-P). These initiatives have set the tone, the goals, and the financial flows, often leaving countries in the Global ...

Why the China–ASEAN–GCC Summit Matters and What Comes Next

The recent China–ASEAN–GCC summit, held for the first time this May, was more than a symbolic gathering. It marked a formalization of growing and increasingly institutionalized cooperation among the three regions. Bringing together China, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), ...

Analysis from Cobus van Staden

China-Led Study Proposes Global Energy Network

A globally connected network of solar and wind energy could provide three times the global energy demand by 2050 at a lower cost than independent national power systems. This is the finding of a study led by the Chinese Academy of Sciences in collaboration with researchers from the United States and Denmark.
The study focused on how areas with high solar and wind capacity (such as deserts) can be linked ...

With BRICS Platform, Indonesia Seeks Global South Solidarity

In Rio de Janeiro this week, Indonesia made its debut on the BRICS stage—not as an invited guest, but as a full member. Foreign Minister Sugiono’s presence at the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting marked a milestone in Jakarta’s evolving approach to multilateral diplomacy, reflecting a growing confidence ...

With BRICS Platform, Indonesia Seeks Global South Solidarity

In Rio de Janeiro this week, Indonesia made its debut on the BRICS stage—not as an invited guest, but as a full member. Foreign Minister Sugiono’s presence at the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting marked a milestone in Jakarta’s evolving approach to multilateral diplomacy, reflecting a growing confidence ...

2+2 Diplomacy: Ceremony Overshadows Substance in Indonesia–China Talks

This week, Indonesia and China celebrated 75 years of diplomatic ties with a landmark 2+2 meeting in Beijing — the first of its kind between the two countries. Lavish praise, photo ops, and a new Comprehensive Strategic Dialogue underscored the event’s significance. The tone was optimistic, ...

Key Takeaways from Indonesian Parliament Deputy Speaker Eddy Soeparno’s Visit to China

When Eddy Soeparno, Deputy Speaker of Indonesia’s People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR), met with China’s top leaders in Beijing last week, the visit went far beyond the usual diplomatic formalities. It was an example of the kind of purposeful engagement that should define the future of Indonesia-China relations: ...

China and Indonesia at 75: Progress Celebrated, Problems Persist

This past weekend, President Xi Jinping and Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto exchanged warm pleasantries over the phone, celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations between their two nations. It was a conversation rich in symbolism and ambition, with talk of “shared futures,” “strategic partnerships,” and a bilateral ...

U.S. Tariff War Could Deepen Indonesia’s Ties with China—But Jakarta Holds the Keys

When the United States slaps a 32% tariff on a wide range of Indonesian exports, it frames the move as a way to protect American industry. But halfway around the world, the decision opens the door to deeper strategic realignment. With access to U.S. markets suddenly ...

Strategic Sustainability: Indonesia’s Green Bet on the “BRICS Bank”

Indonesia’s decision to join the New Development Bank (NDB) under the BRICS framework presents an opportunity to accelerate its green industrial policy. As the country transitions toward a more sustainable economy, securing financing for clean energy, infrastructure, and environmentally friendly industries is paramount. NDB offers an additional ...
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