China seeks stable, transparent mineral rules from Indonesia

China said it hopes Indonesia can provide a stable and transparent policy environment for its mineral sector, as the two countries deepen economic ties.

Commerce Minister Wang Wentao made the remarks during a meeting in Shanghai with Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, according to a Commerce Ministry statement on Saturday. Wang also called for advancing key projects including the “Two Countries, Twin Parks” initiative and expanding industrial and supply chain cooperation, the statement said.

China is Indonesia’s largest trading partner and a key investor in the country’s commodity and infrastructure sectors, including the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed rail and nickel processing.

Beijing’s appeal for stability follows months of policy uncertainty under President Prabowo Subianto. Investors have grappled with changing government positions on mining permits, downstream processing and export rules under Prabowo, raising questions about the predictability of the investment climate despite Jakarta’s efforts to attract foreign investments.

Separately, Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Airlangga during a meeting in Shanghai Saturday that China hopes Indonesia will provide a fair business environment for Chinese investments and oppose “decoupling and supply chain disruptions,” according to a foreign ministry statement.

Indonesia is willing to broaden trade and investment ties with China and deepen cooperation in digital economy and supply chains, Airlangga said, according to the statement.

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