Beijing (ANTARA News) - 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 during 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. A number of cooperative agreements between Indonesia and China are expected to be signed during this visit.

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. (*)
(A051/INE/a014)





(T.A051/A/KR-BSR/A/A014) 23-03-2012 13:57:38

Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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