Since 1984, I have followed the developments in China."
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Chairman of the Indonesian Peoples Consultative Assembly (MPR) Zulkifli Hasan expressed his admiration for the rapid achievements, including economic growth, of the Peoples Republic of China over the last few decades.

"Since 1984, I have followed the developments in China. The country has developed rapidly in terms of economy," he said in a press release received here on Tuesday.

Indonesia is expected to take advantage of the arrival of the Chinese Consultative Assembly to develop bilateral cooperation between the countries.

Speaker of the Chinese Assembly Yu Zhengsheng has conducted a series of visits to Indonesia, which ended on Monday, July 27.

While delivering a speech over a dinner with Yu Zhengsheng, Hasan stated that he expected good relations to be fostered between the governments and parliaments of the two nations.

The Chinese speaker agreed to boost relations between the two countries in the future.

Earlier, the MPR chairman had held a discussion with Yu Zhengsheng regarding Indonesias four pillars and the cultural diversity of its ethnic groups that make up the nation.

"I pointed out the nations four pillars and its cultural, religious and ethnic diversity," Hasan remarked after meeting Yu Zhengsheng here on Monday.

The four national pillars are the Pancasila, which is the foundation of the country, the 1945 Constitution of the nation, the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia, and Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, which means unity in diversity, the motto of the country.

Hasan further noted that "unity in diversity" is a motto followed within and among the states of the nation, which was established on August 18, 1945.

All Indonesian citizens have the same rights, and there are no rules that can create discrimination among them, he emphasized.

"Diversity in Indonesia is apparent by the tolerance exhibited by communities. A majority of residents in East Nusa Tenggara are Christians, but the speaker of its Regional House of Representatives is a Muslim," he observed.

In addition, he cited the example of the Istiqlal Mosque near Jakarta Cathedral and Immanuel Church.

Although most Indonesians are Muslims, they remain tolerant towards the religious beliefs of other citizens, Hasan affirmed.

"We have a tolerant outlook and have respect for the faith followed by other people," he stressed.

Moreover, Hasan believes that the visit of the Chinese assembly speaker was a testament of the good relations between the governments and parliaments of the two countries.
(Uu.A063/INE/KR-BSR/H-YH)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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