As April arrives, China and Indonesia are welcoming the 75th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic ties. Over the past 75 years, the relationship between the two countries has navigated ups and downs, with the past decade witnessing bilateral relations entering a golden epoch.

　　China and Indonesia are both ancient civilizations with rich historical and cultural legacies as well as members of the developing world and emerging economies sharing similar visions of growth. All this has created a robust foundation for bilateral cooperation. By 2024, China had been Indonesia’s largest trading partner for 11 consecutive years. China is also Indonesia’s second-largest source of foreign investment, while Indonesia is China’s second-largest investment destination in ASEAN.

　　During President Prabowo Subianto’s November 2024 visit to China, the two nations elevated their cooperation framework from the original “four wheels” model to a “five pillars” architecture encompassing politics, economy, culture, maritime affairs, and security. This landmark upgrade was accompanied by the signing of a series of cooperation documents and business agreements, marking a new era in China-Indonesia strategic partnership.

　　This issue, China Report ASEAN features expert analyses from six scholars examining China-Indonesia bilateral cooperation from the perspectives of the “five pillars” and the well-being of the two peoples. Complementing this, professionals from multiple sectors on both sides share experiences of living in each other’s country, providing intimate insights into how peopleto-people interactions strengthen the bonds between the two nations.