REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BEIJING -- Indonesian President Joko Widodo held a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People here on Thursday.
During his current visit to China, President Jokowi, as he is also known, will sign several memoranda of understanding in various fields, including finance, industry, infrastructure, disaster mitigation, and outer space.
After officially receiving Jokowi, President Xin Jinping personally welcomed his Indonesian counterpart with a "welcome to China" greeting.
Jokowi's visit coincided with the 65th anniversary of relations between the two countries.
"Relations between the two countries have developed smoothly over the last 65 years," he remarked.
President Xi Jinping views Indonesia as a developing country with a large population that has had beneficial and huge cooperation potentials for China.
"While attending the APEC Summit in Beijing in November last year, we agreed to translate our diplomatic relations with China into concrete beneficial cooperation. In the last four months, our cooperation in all fields has progressed," he affirmed.
President Xi Jinping expressed his satisfaction over the achievement and hoped President Jokowi's visit would push the cooperation to continue to develop in all fields.
In addition, President Jokowi thanked President Xi Jinping for the warm welcome and friendliness.
"Indonesia is committed to deepening its cooperation with China at the bilateral, regional and international levels," he emphasized.
He said that China was Indonesia's close friend, being close even geographically.
"Indonesia has rich natural resources, and China has knowledge and experience in the field of infrastructure. So our comprehensive and strategic partnership would be mutually beneficial," he stated.
President Jokowi is scheduled to meet with Chairman of the People's National Congress Zhang Dejiang and Prime Minister Le Keqiang on Friday.
On the sidelines of his state visit, he is also scheduled to attend a meeting with businessmen of the two countries that will also be attended by Prime Minister Le Keqiang.
The Indonesian head of state's visit to China this time is expected to strengthen the bilateral relations between the two nations.
On March 28, Jokowi is scheduled to visit Hainan to attend a Boao Forum for Asia 2015, where he is one of the speakers.
During this trip, President Jokowi was accompanied by Chief Economic Minister Sofyan Djalil, Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi, State Enterprises Minister Rini Soemarno, Trade Minister Rahmat Gobel, Chief of the Investment Coordinating Board Franky Sibarani, Cabinet Secretary Andi Widjajanto, and Commander of the Defense Forces General Moeldoko.
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