Remarks by Ambassador Lu Kang
At the National Day Reception Celebrating the
74th Anniversary of the Founding of
The People’s Republic of China
20 September 2023, Jakarta
Your Excellency Airlangga Hartarto,
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs,
Your Excellency Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan,
Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment,
Your Excellency Ahamd Basarah,
Deputy Chairman of the People’s Consultative Assembly,
Your Excellency Sultan Bachtiar Najamudin,
Deputy Chairman of the Regional Representative Council,
Your Excellency Agung Laksono,
Member of Presidential Advisory Council,
Your Excellency Prabowo Subianto,
Minister of Defense,
Your Excellency Budi Sumadi,
Minister of Transportation,
Vice Marshal of TNI Tedi Rizalihadi,
Commander of Air Force Doctrine, Education and Training Command,
Vice Admiral of TNI Nurhidayat,
Commander of the Indonesian Navy Hydro Oceanographic Center,
Admiral of TNI (retired) Dr. Marsetio,
Former Chief of Staff of Indonesian Navy,
Lt.Gen of TNI (retired) Dr. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin,
Adviser to Minister of Defense ,
Vice Admiral of TNI (retired) Dr.Mamahit,
Former Commander of Indonesian Coast Guard,
Your Excellency Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono,
General Chairman of the Democratic Party,
Chinese citizens and Chinese communities in Indonesia,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Friends,
Good evening.
It is a great pleasure to gather with you here to celebrate the 74th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China. This is the first physical National Day Reception held by the Chinese Embassy in Indonesia in the post-COVID era. On behalf of the Embassy, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all of you.
Over the past 74 years, under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, we the Chinese people have joined forces and realized the First Centenary Goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all aspects. We are now marching toward the Second Centenary Goal, namely, by the 100th Anniversary of its founding, building China into a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious, and beautiful, and pursue national rejuvenation through a Chinese path to modernization.
Chinese modernization has the following distinguished features:
- A huge population;
- Common prosperity for all;
- Material and cultural-ethical advancement;
- Harmony between humanity and nature; and
- Peaceful development.
It has been well proved that Chinese modernization is the only viable, correct path for China to become stronger, improve people’s lives and achieve national rejuvenation.
On our path to modernization, we have delivered outstanding economic growth. In the first half of this year, Chinese economy grew by 5.5% year-on-year in a complicated and severe external environment. Such a rate is significantly faster than that of major developed economies, showing the strong resilience of China’s development. Five days ago, IMF Managing Director projected that Chinese economy is set to contribute one third of global growth this year.
On our path to modernization, we transform faster to a new development paradigm. We have delivered fruitful outcomes in innovation. Science and technology are becoming more self-reliant. We stick to high-standard opening-up. The total import and export of goods exceeds 40 trillion RMB, the largest in the world for many consecutive years.
On our path to modernization, we commit to building a community with a shared future for mankind. In a world of change and disorder, President Xi Jinping put forward Global Development Initiative (GDI), Global Security Initiative (GSI) and Global Civilization Initiative (GCI). The three Initiatives resonate well with the international community. China’s mediation in the historic detente between Saudi Arabia and Iran is a successful practice of the GSI.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Friends,
This year marks the 10th Anniversary of China-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP). It is also the 10th year since President Xi Jinping put forward the “21st Century Maritime Silk Road” in Indonesia. Under the strategic guidance of the two Presidents, our relations have maintained a strong momentum of growth.
First, frequent high-level exchanges. In 2022, our two Presidents exchanged visits within six months, setting the general direction of building the China-Indonesia community with a shared future. Last July, President Joko Widodo attended the opening ceremony of the Chengdu World University Games. The two Presidents agreed to take concrete measures to deliver the community between our two countries. Earlier this month, Premier Li Qiang attended the Leaders’ Meetings on East Asia Cooperation and paid an official visit to Indonesia, injecting strong momentum into China-Indonesia CSP. Vice President Ma’ruf Amin just concluded his attendance to the 20th China-ASEAN Expo in China. We look forward to President Joko Widodo’s attendance to the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in October in Beijing.
Second, great synergy between strategies. Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway, the flagship project of Belt and Road cooperation, is about to come into commercial operation. Our Indonesian friends’ enthusiasm has been fully felt. We are glad that China has contributed its part. Our two sides should implement the important consensus of the two Presidents, and make full preparation to ensure the Railway operates at a high standard with high quality. China is ready to work with Indonesia to see the Regional Comprehensive Economic Corridor and the “Two Counties, Twin Parks” become new flagship projects of our Belt and Road cooperation.
Third, fruitful bilateral cooperation. In 2022, our two-way trade reached nearly 150 billion dollars, a year-on-year increase of 19.8%. China has been Indonesia’s largest trading partner for 10 years in a row. According to Indonesia’s Ministry of Investment, direct investment from Chinese companies to Indonesia amounted to 8.23 billion dollars in 2022, a year-on-year increase of 160%, the second largest source of foreign investment in Indonesia.
Fourth, active people-to-people exchanges. The folk music ensemble and Xinjiang art troupe from China performed successfully in Indonesia. Delegations from LPOI and Istiqlal Mosque visited China. Mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples are deepened. China will host the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou. We welcome Indonesian athletes to China and wish them success.
Fifth, close multilateral cooperation. China and Indonesia are both major developing countries. We share broad common interests in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Indonesia has successfully hosted the G20 Bali Summit and Leaders’ Meetings on East Asia Cooperation. China has been in full support of Indonesia, and feels happy with the success of our Indonesian friends.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Friends,
The Chinese people are marching toward the Second Centenary Goal, and the Indonesian people are striving for the ambitious Vision 2045. Entering a new decade, China-Indonesia relations enjoy promising prospects. Let us join hands to expand common interests, carry on win-win cooperation, make the China-Indonesia community with a shared future more substantive, and deliver more benefits to our two peoples.
May China and Indonesia enjoy prosperity!
May China-Indonesia relations enjoy ever growth!
May all of you and your families enjoy good health!
Thank you!
