Indonesian Foreign Minister: President Jinping is Committed to Improving Bilateral Ties

Minister of Foreign AffairsRetnoMarsudi answers reporters’ questions after accompanying President Jokowi receiving Chinese Deputy Prime Minister Yang Jiechi at the Merdeka Palace on Monday (9/5)

Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs RetnoMarsudi said thatduring the meeting between President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo and State Councilor of the People’s Republic of China Yang Jiechiat the Merdeka Palace on Monday (9/5), the two leaders discussed two major issues, namely trade and investment.

“Yang Jiechialso brought a message fromthe Chinese President Xie Jinpingabout his country’s commitment to improve bilateral ties with Indonesia in all aspects:economy,trade, investment, and so forth” the Minister told reporters after the meeting at the Merdeka Palace on Monday(9/5).

In the trade sector, Minister Retno said that trade volume between the two countries is quite big, reaching US$44.4 billion despite the negative trend in it. Therefore, Retno said, President Jokowi hopes that trade volume between the two countries could be further increased.

“Therefore, Indonesia has taken initiatives,for example, by participating in the International Trade Promotion Co. (ITPC) in Shanghai or by setting up promotional centers in Beijing and many others. President Jokowi also hopes that trade barriers can be addressed,” Retno said.

In the investment sector, Retno said that this year has seen a 400 percent increase of China’s investment in Indonesia.

“President Jokowi is glad with the increase and said that the Indonesian Government has taken measures to attract foreign investors to Indonesia,” Retno said.

The Minister also said that President Jokowi hopes that communication between the two countries at all levels such as at presidential level or between coordinating ministers, could be enhanced.

“Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs has just returned from Beijing and today, there is a high-level meeting between Mr. Yang Jiechiwith Coordinating Minister for the Economy DarminNasution, ” Retno said, adding that there has been increased communication between Indonesian and Chinese officials in an effort to boost trade and investment between the two countries.

Asked whether the meeting also discussed cooperation on infrastructure building, particularly on the high-speed train project, Retno said that both leaders did not go into details about it and only highlighted the project development. (FID/RAH/ES)(EP/YM/Naster)