Jakarta, INTI - Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, met with senior executives from Chinese technology giants Huawei and ByteDance in Shanghai, China, on July 17. The discussions focused on expanding cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI), digital infrastructure, digital talent development, and technology investment. The meetings coincided with Indonesia's participation in the signing ceremony establishing the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO).
As two of China's leading global technology companies, Huawei and ByteDance are recognized for their expertise in digital innovation and are viewed as strategic partners in supporting Indonesia's digital transformation agenda.
Huawei is a global leader in telecommunications infrastructure, cloud computing, and AI technologies, while ByteDance operates some of the world's most widely used digital platforms, including TikTok, CapCut, Lark, Toutiao, and Douyin.
Expanding Strategic Cooperation with Huawei
During his meeting with Huawei representatives, Airlangga emphasized the company's role as a key strategic partner capable of accelerating Indonesia's digital transformation.
Both parties discussed collaboration opportunities in four priority areas: AI and cloud infrastructure investment, strengthening the digital talent and cybersecurity ecosystem, accelerating digital transformation across government services and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and implementing green energy solutions for data centers.
Following Indonesia's official accession as a founding member of WAICO, Airlangga reaffirmed the government's commitment to translating international cooperation into tangible technological progress. He noted that Huawei's expertise in AI, telecommunications infrastructure, and cloud computing makes the company a valuable partner in advancing Indonesia's national digital agenda.
Strengthening Digital Economy Partnership with ByteDance
In a separate meeting with ByteDance executives, Airlangga expressed appreciation for the company's long-term investment in Indonesia, particularly through Tokopedia and TikTok Shop, which have contributed significantly to the country's expanding digital commerce ecosystem.
The Indonesian government welcomed ByteDance's continued investment, highlighting its role in strengthening the digital economy while creating broader opportunities for millions of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to access digital platforms and participate in cross-border trade.
Indonesia also encouraged ByteDance to deepen its collaboration by supporting the international expansion of Indonesian MSME products through its digital ecosystem.
Beyond e-commerce, Airlangga invited ByteDance to explore broader cooperation in AI technologies, including large language models (LLMs), machine learning, and generative AI. He also proposed collaboration on establishing AI research centers, developing digital talent, and fostering innovation partnerships that would benefit both countries.
Advancing Indonesia's AI and Digital Economy
The meetings formed part of Indonesia's broader economic diplomacy efforts to attract high-value technology investments and strengthen international partnerships.
The government expects its cooperation with Huawei and ByteDance, together with Indonesia's role as a founding member of WAICO, to accelerate technology transfer, help bridge the global AI divide, and support the development of a more competitive, productive, and innovation-driven digital economy.
Conclusion
Indonesia's engagement with Huawei and ByteDance, alongside its role as a founding member of WAICO, reflects the country's commitment to accelerating AI adoption, attracting strategic technology investments, and strengthening international collaboration. These partnerships are expected to support digital innovation, talent development, and the growth of Indonesia's digital economy in the years ahead.
Read more: Indonesia Takes an Active Role in Shaping the Foundation of WAICO