China Committed to Enhancing Cooperation with Indonesia

President Jokowi receives Senior Advisor to the President of the PRC for Foreign Affairs, Song Tao, at the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java, Friday (20/9). (Photo by: Oji/PR)

Senior Advisor to the President of the People’s Republic of China for Foreign Affairs Song Tao reiterated the Chinese Government’s commitment to improving relations and trade cooperation with Indonesia.

The statement was made by Song during a meeting with President Jokowi, at the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java, Friday (20/9).

The Government of the People’s Republic of China also extended congratulations to President-elect Joko “Jokowi” Widodo as President of the Republic of Indonesia for the 2019-2024 period, said Song.

“Chinese Vice President will attend the inauguration ceremony of President on 20 October and the President said he would be honored if it were attended by Chinese Vice President,” said Indonesian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs A.M. Fachir.

Fachir went on to say that the plan to attend the inauguration accentuats good relations between the two leaders in a sense that China paid better attention and shows important and strategic relations between China and Indonesia.

President Jokowi and Song also agreed to continue to cooperate on various fields of cooperation, among others, in trade sector, Fachir said.

He added that efforts must be made to turn current world economic conditions into a joint challenge to prevent negative impacts from affecting both countries.

In trade sector, according to Fachir, the President expressed hope that China’s imports of crude palm oil (CPO) and various other commodities, such as fruits and aquatic products can increase.

“As for investment, the President expressed hope that China will also see opportunities for cooperation in producing export-oriented products, be it to Africa or the Middle East, etc., even to the U.S.,” said Fachir, adding that in infrastructure sector, the President said that the ongoing synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and the Indonesian Maritime Fulcrum can be maintained.

Trade cooperation between both countries can reduce the impact of Indonesia’s deficit with China, Fachir concluded. (OJI/ES)

Translated by: Muhardi

Edited by: M. Ersan Pamungkas