We have once again made history by agreeing to forge a comprehensive strategic partnership."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia and China have agreed to upgrade their bilateral cooperation to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership in various fields.
"We have once again made history by agreeing to forge a comprehensive strategic partnership. I believe that under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, we will be able to improve our bilateral cooperation in the future," President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono remarked at a joint press conference with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Merdeka Palace here on Wednesday.
Yudhoyono said the two countries were committed to increasing bilateral trade to exceed US$51 billion in revenue.
China will also open a consulate general in Bali, he stated.
"We have also agreed to enhance cooperation in the fields of industry, infrastructure development in the transportation sector, financial services, tourism, education, and creative industry," he noted.
President Xi Jinping acknowledged that both countries have long-running close relations and are determined to improve this relationship even further.
The two leaders also witnessed the signing of six cooperation agreements, including those intended to develop a Sino-Indonesian integrated industrial estate and to enhance economic and trade cooperation, as well as cooperation over maritime and fisheries, tourism, meteorology and climatology, and space exploration for commercial and peaceful purposes.
At the meeting, President Yudhoyono was accompanied by Finance Minister Chatib Basri, Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, Industry Minister MS Hidayat, Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Jero Wacik, and Transportation Minister EE Mangindaan, among others.
Meanwhile, President Xi Jinping was flanked by Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Minister of National Development and Reform Commission Xu Shaoshi, Trade Minister Gao Hucheng, and Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia Liu Jianchao.
On Wednesday night, President Yudhoyono and First Lady Ani Yudhoyono hosted a state banquet in honor of President Xi Jinping and First Lady Peng Liyuan.
(Reporting by Panca Hari Prabowo/INE/S012/INE/KR-BSR/H-YH)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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