REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BEIJING -- The mass media plays a significant role in promoting the "One Belt, One Road" strategy initiated by China, President Director of Indonesia's news agency Antara, M. Saiful Hadi, stated here on Monday.

One Belt, One Road is a media cooperation forum hosted by the People's Daily and is based on the theme "New Cooperation Prospect: Towards a Community of Common Destiny."

Hadi noted that the initiative is in line with the long-established relations between Indonesia and the People's Republic of China, as they are the biggest maritime countries in the world and can explore and exploit their areas of potential.

In the current times, the two leaders have made several efforts including initiating reciprocal visits to promote the strategic positions of their sea roads, among others.

During an October 2013 speech to the Indonesian parliament, President Xi Jinping announced the creation of a Maritime Silk Road in accordance with China's vision of "one road" running through Southeast and South Asia, which has driven a significant portion of the Chinese foreign policy.

This has since then been known as China's slogan, "One Belt, One Road." This is the first time for President Jinping to introduce the initiative of the 21st century maritime silk road.

"It is very important that the two countries further strengthen mutually beneficial ties," Saiful affirmed.

He emphasized that the people of the two countries should be aware of the already sound relations between Indonesia and China and their cooperation, which has been established in keeping with the interests of the two nations and their people.

To this end, the mass media should be involved in disseminating information to the people on what have been achieved by the two countries.

"In Indonesia, our Constitution guarantees the people's right to information," he pointed out.

Antara has established cooperation with several influential media organizations in China such as the People's Daily and Xinhua. Furthermore, Antara has posted a correspondent in Beijing after taking into account the strategic importance of China.

"I believe other Indonesian mass media organizations will also consider China, which is the initiator of the 'One Belt, One Road' concept, to be an important country," Saiful affirmed.

Representatives of at least 140 mass media organizations from 60 countries attended the event.

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