Indonesia, China Relationship Getting Stronger: Indonesian FM

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, March 14, 2002

Indonesia, China Relationship Getting Stronger: Indonesian FM

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The relationship between Indonesia and China has been getting stronger since 1990s and it will benefit both countries, Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayudha said in commenting the forthcoming visit to China by President Megawati Soekarnoputri.

The governments of Indonesia and China Thursday announced simultaneously that Megawati will pay a state visit to China from March 24 to 28 at the invitation of Chinese President Jiang Zemin.

"Since the beginning of Megawati administration (in July last year), we have appreciated and been grateful for China's sincere supports to the new government in its process of political reforms and economic recovery, as reflected by the recent visit of Premier Zhu Rongji," Hassan said in an interview with Xinhua here Wednesday.

The minister pointed out that in Zhu's visit and the bilateral talks between Megawati and Jiang Zemin during APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) meeting in Shanghai, China, last year the two countries agreed for further contacts at presidential and ministerial level.

"Indonesia sees the rapid economic growth in China will provide many opportunities not only to Indonesia, but also to other Southeast Asian countries. On the other hand, China may take advantage from the abundant natural resources in Indonesia," Hassan said.

Describing China as one of Indonesia's most important partners in Asia, the foreign minister said China has played a very determinant role in Southeast Asian region.

"Given those facts, Indonesia can expand the cooperation with China in various sectors: politics, economy, trade, industry, investment, culture and even people to people contact," he said.

Regarding the challenges facing the two countries, Hassan stressed that whatever the challenges the two sides face, they can be resolved by cooperative forums and dialogues.

"It is clear that the relationship between Indonesia and China in trade, economy and investment has a very bright future. How we manage to go to that direction is a challenge," the minister concluded.

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