The heads of state of China and Indonesia have agreed to establish a strategic partnership to promote bilateral ties.

Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao and his Indonesian counterpart Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono signed a joint declaration on Monday in the presidential palace following their talks.

Hu is on a state visit to Indonesia after attending the 2005 Asian-African Summit and the Golden Jubilee Commemoration of the 1955 Asian-African Conference in Bandung, capital city of Indonesia's West Java.

The two heads of state agreed that China and Indonesia he become important partners for cooperation and that, as two major developing countries, they should develop a strategic perspective in addressing the long-term interests and take bilateral relations to a new level to the benefit of the two countries and peoples as well as to make new contributions to solidarity and cooperation among the developing countries and to peace and development of mankind, said the joint declaration.

"The strategic partnership shall be a non-aligned and non-exclusive relationship aimed at promoting peace, stability and prosperity of the two countries and its peoples," it added.

The strategic partnership will conform to principles set out in the UN Charter, the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence, the Ten Principles of the Asian-African Conference, the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, and other universally recognized norms of international law.

The strategic partnership will be an important pillar in strengthening China-ASEAN strategic partnership as well as a critical component of South-South cooperation among developing countries, it added.

"The strategic partnership shall provide a basis for close coordination and cooperation in regional, inter-regional, and international fora and organizations with a view to building comprehensive and mutually beneficial ties in meeting the challenges of the new millennium and strengthening regional and international peace, stability and prosperity," said the joint declaration.

The strategic partnership will also focus on strengthening political and security cooperation, deepening economic and development cooperation, enhancing socio-cultural cooperation, and expanding non-governmental exchanges, it added.

Strengthening Political and Security Cooperation

The two heads of state also agreed to increase regular high-level bilateral exchanges and interactions by establishing a dialogue mechanism at the State Councillor/Coordinating Minister level for greater relations and cooperation between China and Indonesia.

"China supports Indonesia in its efforts to maintain national unity and territorial integrity and Indonesia reiterates its continuing adherence to the one China policy and its recognition that the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing all of China and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China and supports the process of peaceful reunification of China," said the joint declaration. pursuit of the ASEAN Community as well as the role of China in sustaining the efforts of ASEAN through programs such as BIMP-EAGA.

They agreed to enhance the implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea as a means to make the South China Sea a platform for cooperation and a bridge of friendship.

The two heads of state also agreed to strengthen cooperation inthe fight against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, said the joint declaration.

Strengthening Economic and Development Cooperation

The two heads of state agreed to promote greater cooperation at investment authorities,

including the private sectors, and by creating more conducive eco-socio-political and legal climates for the flow of investments, said the joint declaration.

The two presidents also agreed to step up dialogue and consultation on energy policy and strengthen cooperation in the development of infrastructures such as roads, bridges, ports, as well as power and telecommunications facilities.

They shared the view to strengthen scientific and technological cooperation in implementing human resource development and joint research in the fields of food, medicine with emphasis on biotechnology, energy, transportation, information and communication, and defense, said the joint declaration.

Enhancing Socio-Cultural and other Cooperation

The two heads of state agreed to value human rights and fundamental freedoms on the basis of equality and equity, and strive to protect such rights and freedoms in all levels of society and within the international community in accordance to the principles of the UN Charter and other international human rights instruments, said the joint declaration.

"To enhance cultural mutual respect through conducting cooperation in tourism, arts, media, sports and among youth groups and non-governmental organizations in order to ensure that the China-Indonesia friendship is carried forward from generation to generation," said the joint declaration.

The two presidents also agreed to work closely in enhancing regional and inter-regional cooperation in the fields of natural disaster prevention and management through developing advanced early warning, emergency relief and post-disaster reconstruction mechanism, said the joint declaration.