RI, China strengthen economic cooperation

The Indonesian and Chinese leaders meeting in Beijing on Friday (March 23) is expected to improve their bilateral relations especially in the economic field.

In a bid to strengthen the bilateral ties, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his counterpart Hu Jintao launched cooperation worth US$17.4 billion.

"The cooperation has been agreed upon in 15 Memorandums of Understanding. The sectors in which cooperation has been established include seaports, roads, alternative energy, the motorcycle industry, mining, construction in strategic areas and the Sunda Strait, plantations, tourism, and the steel industry," said the President.

President Yudhoyono also expressed hope that business cooperation between Indonesia and China would be developed in accordance with the strengthening of relations between the governments of the two countries.

In 2011, Indonesia and China`s trade value reached US$50 billion. Both countries expect to see an increase in trade value of around US$80 billion by 2015.

Yudhoyono also expressed hope that business cooperation between Indonesia and China would be developed in accordance with the strengthening of relations between the governments of the two countries.

In 2011, Indonesia and China`s trade value reached US$50 billion. Both countries expect to see an increase in trade value of around US$80 billion by 2015. 

Earlier, President Yudhoyono met with Chinese and Indonesian business executives in Beijing on Friday as part of his activities during his tour of China.

The meeting, which was held at one of Beijing`s hotels and attended by hundreds of business executives, began at 8.30 a.m local time or 7.30 a.m Western Indonesian Standard Time.

Several Indonesian ministers also attended the meeting, among others, Trade and Industry Minister MS Hidayat and State-owned Enterprise Minister Dahlan Iskan.

The president, ministers and the business executives discussed investment and trade prospect of the two countries.

The meeting was held in cooperation between the office of the coordinating minister for economic affairs, the Indonesian embassy in China and the International Trade Promotion Council of China.

In the meantime, Indonesia and China agree to boost strategic partnership in various sectors, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said during a bilateral meeting with his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao in Beijing on Friday.

"Both countries have the spirit to increase strategic cooperation in various sectors," said President Yudhoyono. Meanwhile, President Hu Jintao in his speech at the bilateral meeting stressed that Indonesia and China increasing cooperation is a necessity.

Earlier, at a meeting with Chinese and Indonesian business leaders in Beijing, President Yudhoyono said Indonesia is a country with a strong economic foundation, so Chinese investors should not hesitate to invest in the country.

He added that Indonesia is a prospective country for foreign investors because the country has enormous natural resources, good economic growth and an improved people`s purchasing power.

President Yudhoyono is scheduled to be in China from March 22-24. 

Apart from that, Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia, Liu Jian Chao, recently said several draft agreements that focus on the fight against narcotics distribution, as well as trade and maritime concerns, maritime research, infrastructure development and manufacturing are expected to be signed during President Yudhoyono`s visit to China.

"We are still discussing the agreements through diplomatic channels, and we are convinced that they will be completed before the leaders of the two countries meet," he said.

Chao said President Yudhoyono`s visit to China would be significant for increasing the cooperation between the two countries. Indonesia is a large country with strong economic growth and plays an important role in Asia.

"Indonesia and China have had a long relationship. Despite the crisis it once faced, Indonesia has been able to rise up to become one of the developing countries with significant economic growth," he remarked.

With its rich natural and human resources, he added, Indonesia would be able to play a positive role at the regional, as well as international levels.

"Indonesia is capable of playing a significant role in maintaining security and peace not only in the ASEAN region, but also internationally," he noted. 

In a bid to support the bilateral economic cooperation, President Yudhoyono said that Indonesia and China must work towards promoting peace in the Asia Pacific region.

"With regard to the Asia Pacific region, we must continue taking advantage of and even developing the regional architecture to assure a conducive order for peace and welfare," he said in his speech after receiving an honorary degree from the Tsinghua University in Beijing on Friday.

In his speech titled "Indonesia-China Strategic Partnership for Peace and Welfare in the Asia Pacific region", Yudhoyono said that peace must be fought for and it is through peace that the welfare of the people can be achieved.

He added that Indonesia and China must make use of various regional forums to promote peace, such as the ASEAN+China, ASEAN+3, East Asia Summit, the ASEAN Regional Forum and APEC.

The President would ideally like to turn the Asia Pacific into a region where no country dominates another.

"We do not want to see the Asia Pacific region divided once again. At this stage I call on all parties to prioritize principles of common welfare and common peace for the entire Asia Pacific region," Yudhoyono added

Source: ANTARA