Jakarta, March 19 (AseanAll)  — On 17 March 2026, Shi Zhongjun, Secretary General of the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), met with Arif Satria, Head of the National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN), in Jakarta, Indonesia. The two sides exchanged views on strengthening ASEAN-China cooperation in science, technology and innovation.

Shi Zhongjun congratulated Satria on assuming the position of Head of BRIN and briefed on the ACC’s work priorities in advancing the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. He noted that science, technology and innovation have become an important driver of regional development and a priority area for the ACC’s future work. The ACC stands ready to leverage its platform advantages to continuously promote cooperation between the two sides in emerging fields such as the innovation economy, scientific research cooperation, smart agriculture and green development. The ACC also welcomes BRIN’s active participation in ASEAN-China and Indonesia-China innovation cooperation mechanisms and activities, so as to jointly advance regional innovation, application and commercialisation of scientific and technological achievements.

Satria expressed appreciation for the ACC delegation’s visit. He noted that Indonesia attaches great importance to applying science, technology and innovation to sustainable economic development. As a newly established agency reporting directly to the President of Indonesia and led by a presidential appointee, BRIN is dedicated to promoting the integration of Indonesia’s scientific research system and enhancing its innovation capacity. He stressed that BRIN places high value on science, technology and innovation cooperation with ASEAN countries and China, and expressed willingness to strengthen communication and coordination with the ACC, deepen cooperation in areas such as innovation research, technology exchange and capacity building, and make positive contributions to promoting high-quality and sustainable regional development.