Your Excellencies,

 

Ambassador Awale Ali Kunllane, Ambassador of Somalia to China;

 

Mr. Wu Hailong, President of China Public Diplomacy Association;

 

Mr. Li Junfeng, First Director of National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation;

 

Ms. Lu Peili, Fellow of Taihe Institute;

 

Mr. Sun Yongfu, Senior Fellow of Taihe Institute;

 

Mr. Yi Di, Vice Chairman  of Taihe Institute as today’s moderator;

 

Distinguished participants, Ladies, and Gentlemen,

 

Very good afternoon, Xia Wu Hao!

 

First of all, it is indeed a great honor and bliss for me to be part of the 2021 Taihe Civilizations Forum, which I believe will serve as knowledge sharing and promotion about economic and technology cooperation.

 

On this special occasion, allow me to address three points. First, I would like to share with you about Indonesia-China's relationship. After 71 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations, Indonesia-China had matured their relationship by signing a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership on 2 October 2013. And we can see the maturity from the economic figures.

 

In trade relations, China has been Indonesia’s biggest trading partner for years. In the first semester of 2021, two-way trade figures reached USD 53.5 billion. This number makes Indonesia becomes the 13th biggest China trading partner.

 

In the investment sector, in the first semester of 2021, China and Hong Kong’s investment in Indonesia reached USD 4 billion. This number makes China the third biggest foreign investor in Indonesia.

 

Second, the Government of Indonesia has put a plan on a path toward carbon neutrality by 2070 and set a target of reaching 23% renewable energy utilization by 2025 and 31% by 2050. Indonesia has also committed to reducing emissions by 29% from the business-as-usual scenario by 2030, or 41% with international assistance.

 

To support this plan, Indonesia has plenty of untapped potential in renewable energy. Subsequently, Indonesia has the capacity to generate 417 gigawatts of power from renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, tidal, and geothermal.

 

However, Indonesia still needs to put more effort into overcoming the challenges in achieving this goal in carbon neutrality as the renewable energy contribution in Indonesia’s energy mix has only reached 11% so far.

 

This brings me to the third point, which is the need for international exchange and cooperation. The Government of Indonesia attaches great importance of the spirit of cooperation and collaboration with many countries.

 

Meanwhile, China shares the same intention to reduce fossil fuel energy use, with a commitment to become carbon neutral before 2060. China is already leading in renewable energy, particularly in solar and wind power, and has become the largest outbound investor in the said sector.

 

In this light, having the same aspirations and needs, both China and Indonesia have the potentials to complement each other. Indonesia-China has engaged in all-around cooperation covering investment, construction, operation, technology, knowledge transfer and human resource development.

 

However, there is still ample room for collaboration and cooperation in the renewable energy area. In fact, the two countries have already signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Energy Cooperation in November 2017, with the development of new and renewable energy and energy conservation as one of the areas of cooperation.

 

I strongly believe that strengthening cooperation in renewable technologies is crucial to reach carbon neutrality. This kind of cooperation will deliver multiple benefits for all parties.

 

Distinguished participants,

 

Ladies and gentlemen,

 

Last but not least, I firmly believe that collaboration between the Government, entrepreneurs, scholars, civil society, and all stakeholders will create the critical factors in reaching our common goals of carbon neutrality.

 

Allow me to conclude that we are at the Indonesian Embassy in Beijing will be more than happy to assist you in coordinating and liaising the energy and technology cooperation.

 

Thank you. Xiexie!