Chinese PM Urges Chinese Investors to Hire Indonesian Workforces

PM Li Keqiang, accompanied by President Jokowi, inspects the guard of honor during his visit to Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java, Monday (7/5). (Photo by: OJI/ Public Relations Division of Cabinet Secretariat)

Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) Li Keqiang stated that China and Indonesia are two neighboring countries with good relations and both countries have several common interests.

“I am very happy to see the development, economic progress and welfare improvement in Indonesia and I congratulate President Joko Widodo for the achievement, “Li said in a joint statement with President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo after bilateral meeting at Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java, Monday (7/5).

According to the Prime Minister, during the meeting the Chinese Government and Indonesian Government agreed to continue cooperation in a peaceful manner, in accordance with international law and norms. “We will maintain world peace and stability together,” Li said.

PRC and Indonesia are important economic entities in the world, Li continued, and will cooperate to improve world economic development, protect the free trade, and facilitate world trade.

“President Joko Widodo and I need to discuss various important matters for China and Indonesia cooperation. President Joko Widodo expressed his hope to increase the export of tropical fruit products as well as agriculture products from Indonesia to China,”Li said, adding that agricultural products from Indonesia have added values as many of them are not available in China.

The Prime Minister further said that the quota of palm oil exports from Indonesia to China could be increased despite the fact that China is currently the largest palm oil importer from Indonesia.

Li added that Chinese Government would add minimum quota of palm oil export from Indonesia up to 500.000 tons to support economic growth and to improve the welfare of small farmers in Indonesia. He continued that he would instruct ministries and related institutions to implement the policy.

Prime Minister Li and President Jokowi also discussed the increase of import quota for coffee and tropical fruits, and discussed Indonesia’s restriction on imported fruit from China, including mandarin orange. He also hopes that Indonesia can increase the import quota for the oranges. “Of course we must ensure that the standards and quality of mandarin orange complies with Indonesian standards,” he said.

Prime Minister Li further said that Chinese Government would send a team of experts from China to assist the concept of four economic zones in Indonesia, especially for port development, economic development and fishery processing. The Chinese Prime Minister also said that he would also instruct Chinese companies to invest in the four economic zones and urges the Chinese companies to hire Indonesian workforce.

According to Li, cooperation between China and Indonesia are enormous, and he believes that cooperation between the two countries can be improved by respecting the rules and laws, maintaining balanced cooperation, and building trust.

“I believe that we can bring our cooperation to the next level,” the Prime Minister said.

The PM also hopes that cooperation with ASEAN can produce useful and strategic results. “We will also maintain peace and protect the freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, Li said, adding that despite of some disagreements with other countries, the Chinese Government will work together to maintain stability in the region. (DNA/OJI/ES) (RI/EP/Naster)