Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Vice President Jusuf Kalla received the Benevolence Award from the World Chinese Economic Summit (WCES) and Asian Strategy and Leadership Institution as an acknowledgment of his efforts to promote harmony.

ANTARA reported here on Monday that the award was handed over by Chairman of WCES Michael Yeoh and founder of WCES Lee Kim Yew to Vice President Kalla at his office.

"The award is very important to promote harmony. Leaders in China have highlighted harmony between Chinese entrepreneurs and others," Kalla remarked during his speech.

Kalla emphasized the need to make efforts to ensure harmony among entrepreneurs in order to improve a country`s economic situation.

A sound economic situation helps to prevent social conflicts.

"The conflict in areas of the Middle East and Asia was created due to disharmony. Hence, harmony among communities is important to be developed along with economic growth," Kalla explained.

The WCES was held in November 2017.

According to Presidential Special Envoy on Dialog, Interfaith, and Civilization Cooperation Din Syamsuddin, the Benevolence Award is the highest honor to be bestowed by the WCES.

"The prize is the highest award in the Sixth WCES. They awarded international figures considered to be meritorious in strengthening the cooperation between the global community and Chinese people," Syamsuddin stated.

The Indonesian figure to have earlier received the Benevolence Award was Sixth President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in 2014.

Meanwhile, Prince Andrew of England had received the award in 2015 and Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd had also been bestowed the award in 2016.

(UU.B019/B/KR-BSR/F001)

Reporter: antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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