China's top electric vehicle maker BYD aims to complete its $1 billion plant in Indonesia at the end of 2025, the head of its local unit said on Monday, underscoring the firm's ambition to dominate in the market where Japanese automakers are popular.

With billions of dollars in Chinese pledges and regulatory reforms, Jakarta is betting big on solar - with a weather eye on US trade policy As US tariffs squeeze Chinese solar firms across Southeast Asia,

Indonesia is attracting significant investment in its solar manufacturing industry due to US tariffs on Chinese and other Southeast Asian solar products.

Indonesia will expand its existing defence partnerships and step up its handling of strategic issues impacting its sovereignty, including maritime security and the safety of sea passage and fisheries,

Based on recent information, the ASEAN LV market is estimated to have dropped by 6% YoY to 3.11 million units in 2024.

"There is no other choice. Both of us, Indonesia and China have to strengthen our relationship based on three pillars: politics and security, economic development and people-to-people (connectivity)," said Dino, who is the former ambassador to the US and former deputy foreign minister.

China's top electric vehicle maker BYD aims to complete its US$1 billion plant in Indonesia at the end of 2025, the head of its local unit said on Monday, underscoring the firm's ambition to dominate in the market where Japanese automakers are popular.

BYD Indonesia Plant: "Every single progression of our local manufacturing is quite smooth and also on the track. We will keep our commitment, which is by end-2025, we will complete the construction works,

China's top electric vehicle maker, BYD, aims to complete its $1 billion plant in Indonesia at the end of 2025

The long-term plan for the plant is for the export market, said Eagle Zhao, its president director in Indonesia

During the Trump administration part 2, Indonesia should continue to prioritize capability-building and defense transformation, essential for strengthening its deterrence, particularly in managing regional dynamics such as those in the South China Sea.

What Indonesia has gained is strategic autonomy, clout with the US and within Asean, and a bigger voice on the global stage On January 6, Indonesia was admitted as a full member to Brics, a multinational bloc now comprising 10 key developing economies spanning Europe,