CHINESE Premier Li Qiang held talks with Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto on Sunday to discuss ways to expand trade and investment in the face of the US’s global trade war.

Mr Li arrived in Jakarta on Saturday afternoon for a three-day visit.

China and Indonesia are member states of the Group of 20 major developing countries and emerging economies, and of Brics.

Mr Li brought 60 prominent Chinese businesspeople for his address to the Indonesia-China Business Reception on Saturday evening. He emphasised that China’s economy has achieved rapid growth this year despite increasing external challenges.

“The current international situation is a stalemate,” Mr Li said at the event, which was also attended by President Subianto. “Unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise, bullying behaviour is increasing.”

Mr Li noted this year marks the 70th anniversary of the conception of the Non-Aligned Movement by Asian and African countries in Indonesia’s Bandung city when the world was at a historical crossroads.

The Bandung spirit of solidarity, friendship and co-operation has played a pivotal role in the unity and co-operation of global South countries, Mr Li said.

“More than seven decades later, the world is once again at an important crossroads,” Mr Li said.

He called on all countries to seek common ground while resolving differences through dialogue and peaceful coexistence.

President Subianto expressed gratitude to the Chinese government and its companies “that have participated in our economy, created jobs, transferred technology and built trust among all businesses, especially in our homeland.”

He also invited Chinese business people to invest more in Indonesia.

The two leaders oversaw the signing of a dozen agreements including co-operation to encourage bilateral transactions in local currencies, trade, investment, tourism, health and agricultural exports.