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China wants more influence in Indonesia’s defense sector. Jakarta should make sure that also suits its national interests.
From left: Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono and Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin attend the 2026 2+2 Dialogue in Jakarta, Indonesia.
When Indonesia and China held their first “2+2” dialogue between foreign ministers and defense ministers in April 2025, the meeting marked a new chapter in the bilateral relations of the two countries. The two countries held the 2+2 dialogue again on August 21, 2026, in Jakarta.
However, the significance of the 2+2 should not be measured solely by its symbolism. The strategic value actually lies in how far both countries can use the forum to manage differences while still maximizing their respective national interests. Already, this year’s 2+2 dialogue resulted in an agreement increasing the intensity of joint military exercises and plans to open joint munition factories in Indonesia, in line with the current national interests of both countries.
