Amid global economic uncertainty, China's role as a key player in sustaining growth cannot be overstated, according to Indonesian expert Christine Susanna Tjhin. In a recent interview with Xinhua, she highlighted China's remarkable ability to maintain its position as a major contributor to global economic growth, even during challenging times. With a focus on strong commerce, China's 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) has seen it contribute over 30% to global growth, showcasing its commitment to stability and certainty. This is particularly significant as many countries grapple with post-pandemic recovery, prolonged conflicts, and the impact of unilateral tariffs from the United States. China's economic resilience is expected to have a lasting impact on global growth, making it one of the fastest-growing economies. The introduction of the Dual Circulation policy in 2020 has been instrumental in this regard, fostering internal resilience while promoting high-quality openness through domestic consumption, innovation, and supply chain enhancements. Indonesia's bilateral cooperation with China exemplifies this openness, with the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership serving as a prime example of how China's contributions have positively influenced global development. Since 2013, various infrastructure projects and investments have bolstered Indonesia's growth and solidified its role as a global growth engine. In terms of high-level openness, the Hainan Free Trade Port is set to become a significant platform for international engagement across multiple sectors, offering benefits to Indonesia and other nations. This includes enhanced customs efficiency, improved intellectual property protection, and increased business and tourism mobility. Amid rising global protectionism, China's commitment to inclusive and equitable economic globalization and an open world economy acts as a crucial counterbalance. The strengthening of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area 3.0 Upgrade Protocol, and collaboration in green energy and the digital economy are pivotal in sustaining regional growth. As China undergoes a transformation from its traditional role as the 'world's factory' to a hub for high-value innovation and advanced services, it is also upgrading key industries like artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, electric vehicles, batteries, and telecommunications. This evolution will enable China to contribute to global growth by accelerating the development of next-generation industries, shaping international technological standards, and fostering stronger intra-Asian trade and investment through deeper regional integration.
