"In the autonomous region of Xinjiang there are 23 thousand mosques and almost 30 thousand religious officers. We want more and more Indonesians to visit China, to forge friendships and know each other," Xie Feng said at the fast-breaking dinner with acting Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahja Purnama and a number of orphans here on Saturday.
The Chinese ambassador said Muslims in China were also performing the fast during the holy month of Ramadhan. They receive protection from the Chinese government to perform their religious services.
"The Indonesia-China Muslim friendship, which has existed for a long time, is an important part of relations between the two countries," he said.
The Chinese embassy also distributed two thousand donation packages among orphans and the disabled.
"Through this donation activity, the Chinese embassy expects it will distribute similar donations and offers friendship from the Chinese people, particularly Chinese Muslims, to the Indonesian people," he said.
The ambassador also said he appreciated the Indonesian people, who have cast their vote in the July 9 presidential election.
"We believe the Indonesian people are smart enough to choose the head of state they like," he said.
(S012/INE)
Reporting by Imam Santoso
(T.SYS/B/KR-BSR/S012)
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
Copyright © ANTARA 2014
