China to Support Prabowo’s Free Nutritious Meals Program through Strategic Partnership
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JAKARTA, investortrust.id — China has agreed to support President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) initiative through a strategic partnership between Indonesian and Chinese business chambers.
Garibaldi "Boy" Thohir, Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) China Committee, announced the commitment at the Indonesia-China Business Reception 2025 in Jakarta on Saturday, May 24. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between KADIN Indonesia and the China Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia and witnessed by President Prabowo and Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
“This MoU with the China Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia represents our joint commitment to support President Prabowo’s MBG program through mutual cooperation,” said Thohir during the reception held at the Shangri-La Hotel.
The agreement, signed as part of the 75th anniversary of Indonesia-China diplomatic relations, marks a significant step by the private sector to back one of the Prabowo-Gibran administration’s top priorities—providing free meals to school children across the country.
Strengthening Bilateral Cooperation amid Global Uncertainty
Thohir emphasized that deeper collaboration between Indonesia and China has become increasingly vital amid global economic uncertainty. China remains Indonesia’s largest trading partner and a top foreign investor.
“We believe that working with China—one of the world’s leaders in infrastructure, manufacturing, and clean energy—will help us achieve our long-term development goals,” he said.
As part of the commemorative activities, President Prabowo and Premier Li also toured the Indonesia-China 75th Anniversary Partnership Exhibition. The exhibition showcased achievements in eight strategic sectors:
1. infrastructure and connectivity,
2. industrial downstreaming and manufacturing,
3. renewable energy,
4. digitalization and advanced technologies,
5. artificial intelligence,
6. healthcare and biotechnology,
7. education and scientific research,
8 food security, including agriculture and marine fisheries.
Photo: Screenshot/Secretariat of the President of the Republic of Indonesia
KADIN’s Expanding Role in Bilateral Relations
Over the past two years, KADIN Indonesia’s China Committee has actively promoted investment and trade ties through major forums such as the 2023 Indonesia-China Business Community Reception, the 2023 Indonesia-China Business Forum, and the 2024 Business Forum in Beijing, attended by President Prabowo himself.
Thohir reaffirmed KADIN’s commitment to positioning Indonesia as China’s strategic partner in Southeast Asia. He called for practical cooperation to enhance trade flows and boost Chinese investment in the archipelago.
“With continued support from both governments, KADIN Indonesia’s China Committee is committed to advancing bilateral cooperation that delivers real benefits to our nations. Let’s carry the spirit of our 75-year partnership forward and build a stronger foundation for shared prosperity,” he concluded.
The 2025 Indonesia-China Business Reception was attended by prominent figures including: President Prabowo Subianto, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, KADIN Chairman Anindya Novyan Bakrie, Investment Minister Rosan Roeslani, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia, and Chairman of the National Economic Council Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan.