Indonesia and China explore strategic infrastructure partnerships, from flood protection to rail expansion.
President Prabowo Subianto’s bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on September 3, 2025, focused on two major infrastructure projects: the Jakarta–Surabaya high-speed rail and the multibillion-dollar Giant Sea Wall.
Strategic Talks in Beijing
The high-level talks took place during Prabowo’s visit to Beijing for the 80th Victory Day commemoration. According to Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY), infrastructure development was a key focus of discussions between the two leaders.
Focus on High-Speed Rail Expansion
The Jakarta-Surabaya high-speed rail is positioned as a continuation of Indonesia’s earlier Jakarta-Bandung project. AHY confirmed that while details were not finalized, the government is committed to pushing forward talks with China to ensure progress on the railway, which could reshape connectivity across Java.
Giant Sea Wall as National Priority
Another central topic was the Giant Sea Wall project, estimated to cost around USD 80 billion (Rp1.31 quadrillion). The project is part of Prabowo’s National Strategic Projects (PSN), designed to protect coastal areas from rising sea levels, tidal floods, and the long-term effects of climate change.
International Investment Opportunities
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, earlier revealed that Indonesia is opening investment opportunities in the Giant Sea Wall project to China, South Korea, Japan, and several European countries. The financing structure will rely heavily on Public-Private Partnership (PPP) schemes, offering phased investment opportunities to foreign partners.
Government Oversight and Next Steps
AHY emphasized that both the high-speed rail and Giant Sea Wall projects will receive close supervision from the government. He said Prabowo will convene further limited meetings with key ministers to finalise technical and financial details of the cooperation with China.
Strengthening Indonesia-China Relations
The discussions highlight the strengthening of Indonesia-China ties in strategic infrastructure, with long-term implications for economic growth, resilience against climate change, and regional connectivity. For Southeast Asia, these projects symbolize how large-scale cooperation can address shared challenges of development and sustainability.
The Prabowo-Xi talks mark a significant step toward deepening Indonesia-China cooperation in infrastructure. With the Jakarta-Surabaya high-speed rail promising greater connectivity and the Giant Sea Wall aiming to safeguard coastal areas, both projects reflect Indonesia’s ambition to combine economic growth with climate resilience. Their success will resonate beyond Indonesia, offering lessons for neighboring nations like Singapore and Indonesia’s ASEAN partners.
Sources: Tirto.id (2025) , Kompas.com (2025)
Keywords: Prabowo Subianto, Xi Jinping, Jakarta-Surabaya High-Speed Rail, Giant Sea Wall, Strategic Infrastructure, Indonesia-China Relations
