Bolstering Science and Technology Collaboration: Indonesia and China’s Marine Technology Initiative

The research examined the bilateral cooperation framework concerning the advancement of marine technology, knowledge exchange, and capacity enhancement between Indonesia and China. This research aimed to analyze the legal and institutional dimensions of the initiative, particularly regarding technology transfer, capacity building, intellectual property protection, joint resource management, and environmental sustainability. This research applied normative legal research by analyzing relevant legal instruments, policy documents, bilateral cooperation frameworks, and academic literature. The findings show that the initiative is multifaceted, offering opportunities for scientific cooperation and maritime capacity development while also presenting challenges related to governance, benefit-sharing, technological asymmetry, and implementation effectiveness. The research further identifies the importance of joint coordination mechanisms, technology roadmaps, environmental safeguards, and dispute-resolution frameworks in supporting effective cooperation. It concludes that the Indonesia and China Marine Technology Initiative may contribute to sustainable marine technology development, provided that its implementation ensures balanced benefits, substantive technology transfer, environmental protection, and respect for maritime governance principles within the broader ASEAN maritime cooperation context.