Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government strengthened cooperation with China in the digital sector, especially in the fields of research, technology development, and improvement of digital human resources’ competence and skills.

This was realized at a bilateral meeting between Communication and Informatics Minister Budi Arie Setiadi and Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Secretary of the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) He Junke in Jakarta on Wednesday.

“I hope, today’s event can become a momentum to strengthen cooperation in various sectors. Various forms of cooperation have been built by the two countries, and cooperation opportunities between Indonesia and China are wide open,” he noted here on Wednesday.

He remarked that the cooperation is aimed at responding to challenges in the utilization of new technology in the digital sector that has recorded continued development.

He highlighted that in terms of partnership, China is one of Indonesia’s close and most significant trade partners.

Related news: Digital economy in Indonesia booming: Minister Uno

In 2022, the value of China’s investment in Indonesia reached US$8.2 billion, and the value of trade between both nations totaled US$133 billion.

With this new collaboration in strengthening the digital sector, it is hoped that relations between Indonesia and China would provide more benefits from this growing sector.

The minister encouraged cooperation between the two countries to include the latest technologies, such as the application of artificial intelligence (AI), digital finance, digital health, digital government, as well as smart city development technology.

“I support the collaboration of business players, academicians, and the community to support the Movement Towards 100 Smart Cities in Indonesia. We are open to ideas and potentials of cooperation going forward,” he remarked.

Wednesday's event was also attended by representatives from the China Institute of Communications, ZTE Indonesia, the Indonesian Telematics Society, and Telkom University.

Related news: Youths should master technology to realize digital transformation

Related news: Indonesia committed to optimizing digital ecosystem growth: minister

Translator: Livia Kristianti, Raka Adji
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
Copyright © ANTARA 2023