China, Indonesia deepen cooperation from trade and energy to defence | East Asia Tonight 21 Aug 2026

Chinese and Indonesian foreign and defence ministers step up bilateral cooperation as they lead their countries’ first Comprehensive and Strategic Dialogue in Jakarta. Also on East Asia Tonight, Japan lodges a protest with Russia over a missile test held near the disputed Kuril islands. The exercise simulated an attack on enemy ships. Meanwhile, the US-South Korea joint drills wrap up six days early on the order of President Donald Trump. 00:00 Introduction 01:30 China and Indonesia steps up cooperation 12:36 Japan protest Russian drills near disputed islands 21:50 Hyundai Motor union workers stage strike 26:35 Japan defence minister wraps up Indo-Pacific tour: Insights from Tomohiko Taniguchi 34:19 US-South Korea wraps up joint drills early 30:04 Sodium-ion battery race: Insights from Dr Varnika Agarwal