This issue of "High-end Interview" has come to Indonesia, known as the "country of Thousand Islands", and will soon talk to Indonesian President Joko Widodo here. Visual Packaging | Zhang Zizheng Wu Wei Feng Feng Cui Chen Ma Yulin Gan Xiaopeng Ye Ye Wang Jing Zhang Chao Wang Xuey

2025/05/3014:31:38 hotcomm 1745

focuses on international focus and insight into the world. This issue of "High-end Interview" has come to Indonesia, known as the "country of Thousand Islands", and will soon talk to Indonesian President Joko Vidodo here. From slums to presidential palace, how did Joko go all the way? What kind of development vision did he paint for Indonesia ? What role do you hope to lead this country to play on the international stage? Today, we approach the Indonesian President together: Joko Widodo.

Indonesia is the largest economy in ASEAN . It established diplomatic relations with China in 1950, and in 2013 the two countries established a comprehensive strategic partnership with . In July 2022, Indonesian President Joko Widodo started his first trip to East Asia since the epidemic. His first stop was China. He also became the first foreign head of state received by China after the Beijing Winter Olympics . In early October, after a busy itinerary in three places, Jakarta, Malang City and Bali , Joko Widodo accepted an exclusive interview with Central Radio and Television Station that night.

Host: Mr. President, thank you for accepting our interview. It's too late now, but you're still in high spirits. You have been working for a long time today, is it difficult to be the president of Indonesia? Are you always so busy?

Joko: Yes. Indonesia is an archipelago country, we have 17,000 islands, 514 cities and counties, 37 provinces, 714 tribes and 1,300 local languages. Therefore, no matter who becomes the president of Indonesia, it is necessary to visit the people living on these 514 cities and counties and 17,000 islands. Otherwise, they might not feel the president's existence because they are scattered.

Host: We came to the beautiful Bali this time. Many locals told us that you will go to the countryside to investigate and solve the problems faced by locals and understand their needs. What is your philosophy of governing the country?

Joko: My political career started with two consecutive terms as mayor (Solo ), and then served as governor (Jakarta Special Administrative Region), and was re-elected as president of Indonesia. Indeed, since I became mayor, I have been insisting on entering the people, and my footprints have been left behind in the slums and rivers. The same was true during his tenure as governor and as president. I will inspect local areas, rural areas, and river banks, and I have always wanted to communicate directly with the people. Because those places are where the problems actually exist, the starting point of the problems, and the source of inspiration for us to formulate relevant policies.

Host: You once said that becoming president is not your childhood dream.

Joko: I never thought of becoming the president of Indonesia, I never thought of it. I just thought about becoming a successful entrepreneur. I was born in a slum by the river and could understand the struggles of ordinary people because I have experienced them. I'm also very glad that I've had these experiences. Because I really understand the feelings of the people and understand what they really need, I have always used the language of the people, not the language of the people.

Host: President Xi Jinping adheres to the people-centered governance concept. You have met and spoken with President Xi Jinping many times. What is your impression of him? What experiences have you been particularly memorable in your interactions with President Xi Jinping?

Joko: Yes. In my opinion, President Xi Jinping is a leader who loves the people and he really understands the problems facing the people. It is precisely because of his introduction of a series of efficient poverty reduction policy measures that China's poverty rate has dropped significantly.

Host: This year China will usher in the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. This is a major event in Chinese politics. How do you view the importance of the 20th National Congress?

Joko: Yes, we hope the conference will be successful and create a better life for the Chinese people. At the same time, the General Assembly can also make decisions that are not only beneficial to the Chinese people, but also to regional stability and world peace, and contribute to regional prosperity and world welfare. I think this is something that all countries like to see.

Host: As the President of Indonesia, you attach great importance to infrastructure construction.When we communicate with Indonesian people, many people say that Indonesia's main islands and cities have built more and more bridges, roads and buildings. Why do you attach so much importance to infrastructure? What does this mean for Indonesia's development?

Joko: If infrastructure is improved, Indonesia's competitiveness will be enhanced. Over the past eight years, we have built 2,040 kilometers of expressways, built 16 new airports, and renovated 38 airports. Then there is the port, and the dam. I think this is a basic condition that Indonesia must have in order to improve its competitiveness.

When it comes to infrastructure construction in Indonesia, there is one project that must be mentioned, that is, the Jakarta-Bandung High-speed Railway. I am now at the construction site of the Jakarta-Bandung High-speed Railway. This is the first overseas project of China's high-speed railway construction of its entire system, all factors and all industrial chain. In January 2016, the project officially started, and almost every talk or call after that, the heads of state of the two countries would talk about the Jakarta-Bandung High-speed Railway. After the project is completed and opened, it will connect the Indonesian capital Jakarta and the fourth largest city of Banlong . The passage time between the two places will be shortened from more than 3 hours to 40 minutes. President Joko Widodo also expressed his expectations for the Jakarta-Bandung High-speed Railway in an interview with us.

Joko: I have inspected the construction of the Jakarta-Bandung High-speed Railway three times. This is a flagship project in which Indonesia and China cooperate in infrastructure construction. I am optimistic that this project will be completed soon and will be put into operation in mid-next, that is, mid-2023. This will promote the connection between Bandung and Jakarta and will also accelerate the flow of people and the circulation of goods.

Host: With the future, you will have a little easier on business trips on different islands and provinces, right?

Joko: If the high-speed rail line is connected, taking the high-speed rail across cities and provinces will of course speed up business trips. This is the importance of infrastructure, the importance of speed, and the importance of rapid flow of goods and personnel, because this is competitiveness.

Host: You mentioned that this is the flagship project of the "Belt and Road" initiative. The "21st Century Maritime Silk Road" proposed by President Xi Jinping is also consistent with the "global maritime fulcrum" you proposed. How can the two countries strengthen strategic docking under these two important and visionary initiative frameworks? In what other aspects do you expect from the two countries to cooperate?

Joko: I think the more cooperation there is between Indonesia and China, the more beneficial it is to both countries - including the construction of harbors, airports and highways, etc. I think all initiatives should contribute to regional and world stability, peace and prosperity, and cooperation must be mutually beneficial. Indonesia hopes that the Global Development Initiative will become a platform to accelerate the realization of the Global Sustainable Development Goals . We are ready to continue to carry out friendly cooperation in the context of accelerating the achievement of the global sustainable development goals.

Host: Let’s talk about bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and China. In terms of economic and trade cooperation, China has become Indonesia’s largest trading partner for nine consecutive years, and the bilateral trade volume in 2021 increased by nearly 60% year-on-year. China has become Indonesia's second largest source of investment. What do you think is the reason why our economic and trade relations have made such significant progress? What will be the new engine that will drive the economic and trade growth of the two countries in the future?

Joko: Yes, as two major powers, China and Indonesia have considerable potential for cooperation. China's investment in Indonesia has grown rapidly and is currently ranked second, but I think it will be number one in the future.

Host: When do you think it will be implemented?

Joko: In my opinion, this may take another two years. I am optimistic that in the future, economic cooperation between Indonesia and China will continue to improve, improve, and become bigger and stronger. Because we already know each other and understand each other’s needs.

Host: Indonesia and China are also working together in the fight against the new crown epidemic. In January 2021, you took the lead in injecting China's new crown vaccine and broadcast the vaccination process live on TV. Why did you choose to do this first? What kind of message do you want to convey?

Joko: Yes, I hope people know that more than 80% of the vaccines used in Indonesia come from China's Sinovac. So far, we have vaccinated the public with 440 million doses of vaccine.We decided that I was the first to get vaccinated as the president, with the goal of showing the importance of vaccination to the public. Vaccines will protect our health, and at the same time it is not just a health issue, it is also closely related to economic recovery.

Host: The COVID-19 pandemic has made us realize that we must unite to cope with such global challenges. How do you understand the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind proposed by President Xi Jinping? Especially as the world is facing unprecedented challenges and new risks are emerging one after another.

Joko: Yes, in the face of the global pandemic of the new crown epidemic, no country can survive alone, it is impossible. All countries, whether developed countries or developing countries, must work together to cooperate. When a country is left behind, such as not getting a vaccine, the epidemic in this country will spread to other countries. So I once again emphasize that cooperation among countries in fighting the epidemic is imminent. Therefore, we need a new global health governance architecture in which all countries must work together.

Host: In 2015, President Xi Jinping attended the 60th anniversary commemoration of the Bandung Conference in Indonesia. More than 60 years after the Bandung Conference was held, can the Bandung Spirit , which is essentially peaceful coexistence, help us to meet the challenges we are facing now?

Joko: Yes. Ten Principles of Wanlong Conference is still closely related to today's era, especially in this world facing many challenges due to conflicts and the epidemic. For developing countries, the challenges facing today are even more difficult. The original intention of the ten principles proposed by the Bandung Conference in 1955 was to promote the spirit of independence, uphold equality between all countries and all ethnic groups, and advocate peaceful resolution of disputes. I believe that if the ten principles of the Bandung Conference are implemented, the world will be more peaceful and we can jointly avoid the outbreak of war.

Host: Indonesia will serve as the rotating presidency of the G20 this year. It will serve as the host in Bali as the host. What is the current preparations? What important issues will be discussed at the summit?

Joko: The G20 is a group of major powers with huge influence. Many problems in the world are what we are facing together at the moment. The crisis must be eliminated and the global economy must recover as soon as possible. We want to be as fully prepared as possible. Therefore, the G20 summit must produce concrete results, do a good job in practical work, and have a practical impact on the world. We should avoid empty talk and formalization, but focus on cooperation to create a better future in the world. Because we know that the current financial crisis, energy crisis, , and food crisis are intertwined and superimposed, we should deal with it together, rather than fighting alone. The G20 has a huge influence in designing a grand blueprint.

Host: The Ukrainian crisis will definitely be a topic that everyone is concerned about. You visited Ukraine and Russia in June and invited Russian Presidents Putin and Ukrainian President Zelensky to attend the G20 Leaders' Summit. Have the two leaders confirmed to attend the summit so far?

Joko: We want to invite all G20 members to participate in the dialogue and jointly seek solutions to a peaceful solution to the problem. I would like to emphasize again that conflicts must end immediately and that the food, energy and financial crises must end as soon as possible. All this is possible if we can reach cooperation in conversations. We hope that the world economy will recover and rise rapidly as soon as possible. I want to reiterate that war is not good for anyone or any country. War will only cause damage and bring suffering. This is the reminder I want to make.

Host: Do you think a peaceful solution can be reached to some extent at the G20 Leaders’ Summit?

Joko: Yes, we must try all means. If we don’t try and we are all silent, what will the world become? If we don't discuss this together, it will never end. Everyone had to sit at a table and discuss how to find the best solution, although I know it wasn't an easy task.

Host: This is definitely a difficult task, but it is very important.So how do you view China's role in the G20?

Joko: The theme of this year's G20 summit is "Joint Recovery, Strong Recovery". Its far-reaching significance reflects the international community's expectations for the G20. China plays an important role in the global economic recovery. When countries around the world start working together again, I hope China will become part of a new paradigm of cooperation.

Host: Now that your second term is over halfway through, what is the change that Indonesia makes you most proud of? What is the most difficult challenge for you?

Joko: I think the biggest challenge facing all countries today is the same, that is, how to promote economic growth, how to deal with inflation, the challenges of food crisis, and the energy and financial crisis that may be faced in the future. I am very glad that Indonesia has built many infrastructure, we have developed human resources, digitalized small and medium-sized enterprises, and began to ban the export of raw materials, promoting the development of downstream processing industries. This is the cornerstone of progress and a solid foundation for Indonesia to meet global challenges.

Host: Mr. President, let’s talk about you personally. I have also read a lot of interviews you have received in the past. You wear sneakers most of the time. Why is that?

Joko: Because this pair of shoes is made in Indonesia and the price is also cheap. How much is it equivalent to? $28. I highly recommend products from small businesses in Indonesia.

Host: China has strong consumption capacity, and I think the sports shoes you show will attract many Chinese audiences. You are also very active on social media. In addition to sharing your work and vision, you also share your personal life. For example, make herbal tea, sing, dance, and take care of grandchildren. By the way, they are really cute. Tens of millions of Chinese viewers are currently watching our show. What do you want to show to Chinese audiences the most?

Joko: Yes, I hope people can learn more about me from all aspects and understand what I really look like. Not only what I look like as president, but also as a father, husband and grandfather. I would like to send sincere greetings to Chinese netizens. I hope you can come to Indonesia to visit Bali and Manado in the future to experience the beauty of Indonesia and people's enthusiasm. Regarding herbal tea, I always get used to drinking some drinks made of turmeric and ginger in the morning. I'm sticking to it every morning, which is something I've been doing since more than 20 years ago to stay healthy.

Host: It has been 20 years.

Joko: Yes, it has been more than 20 years. To keep me alive in my daily work.

Host: Indonesian folk songs are very popular in China. Many people can hum Indonesian folk songs, such as " Star Shou " or "Ouch Mom". Many generations of Chinese people can sing. My grandparents, parents and I grew up listening to these beautiful melodies. Both of our countries have a long history and splendid culture and a deep friendship. How do you think we can further promote cultural exchanges between the two countries?

Joko: Yes. We are all Oriental, so our culture - Chinese culture and Indonesian culture have certain similarities. I think that's why some songs that are very famous in Indonesia, such as " Beautiful Solo River ", are also very popular in China. President Xi Jinping will also sing this song. It can be seen that this song is indeed so beautiful.

Host: Mr. President, thank you for sharing your insightful insights and interesting experiences with us, and thank you for taking the time to accept our interview.

Joko: Thank you, thank you.

President Xi Jinping once quoted the Indonesian folk song "The Beautiful Solo River" to describe the extraordinary journey of bilateral relations. The song says this: "The rolling waves flow into the distance, flowing into the ocean." And the relationship between China and Indonesia develops like this beautiful Thoreau River, crossing the mountains and rushing to the sea. In 2023, China and Indonesia will celebrate the tenth anniversary of the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership. At a time when the world is changing in a complex and complex manner, the two heads of state have clarified the general direction of building a community with a shared future, which not only provides the region but also the world to respond to challenges, providing valuable Eastern wisdom and Asian power.

General planning丨Shen Haixiong

General production丨Li Ting

Supervisor丨Chen Jie

General producer丨Pan Linhua Jie Liqing Yan Min

Producer丨Cheng Yue Yin Liping

Executive editor丨Ge Qian

Planning丨Zong Shuai

Reporter丨Zou Yun Jia Jianjing

Camera丨 Lu Yiming

Director丨Dong Yuan Zong Shuai

External connection丨Han Shuo Zhuang Ying Sheng Yuhong

Dubbing丨Yao Yujun