China and Indonesia signed series of MOUs or agreements Thursday in Beijing to boost cooperation in defense, economic and cultural sectors and to help rebuilding of tsunami-hit areas.

Chinese President Hu Jintao and his Indonesian counterpart Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono were present at the signing ceremony after their talks in the Great Hall of the People in downtown Beijing Thursday afternoon.

Those agreements include a MOU on research and development in defense technological cooperation, a MOU on rebuilding project in tsunami-hit areas funded by Chinese non-governmental donations.

The documents also include an agreement on grant assistance in relation to economic and technical cooperation, a general loan agreement of 100 million US dollars of preferential buyer's credit and an arrangement concerning Chinese language teaching.

"Sino-Indonesian relations witnessed great progress in the last 55 years," Hu said. Especially in recent years, the two countries exchanged high-level visits frequently and enhanced cooperation in politics, trade and economy, culture and education, military and security.

"We two countries have coordinated and cooperated closely in international and regional affairs," the president said.

"We appreciate the Indonesian government's adherence to the one-China policy, support Indonesia's strike on separatism and terrorism and efforts in maintaining national unity and stability and in economic building."

Hu Jintao suggested the two countries enhance high-level exchanges and strategic dialogue, and work out an action plan for implementing the Sino-Indonesian strategic partnership.

He appealed to the two sides to boost cooperation in key sectors such as infrastructure construction, energy and natural resource exploration, telecommunication, agriculture, forestry and fishery, and construction of big projects.

The two countries should work hard to forge an investment-promotion mechanism, improve the marine cooperation mechanism including voyage safety, oceanic environmental protection and marine security.

Hu Jintao also proposed to launch a defence consultation mechanism and improve cooperation in disaster-relief and prevention and in the cultural, educational and tourist industries.

The president hailed an Asia-Africa summit and celebration on the 50th anniversary of Bandung Conference held earlier this year in Indonesia, saying China will, along with Indonesia and other concerned parties, promote cooperation between Asian and African countries in politics, economy, society and culture.

Susilo arrived in Beijing Wednesday afternoon for a four-day state visit to China as guest of Hu Jintao. This is his first visit to China after taking office last October.

"The Indonesian government firmly sticks to the one-China policy, and appreciates China's support to the Indonesian government in maintaining national sovereignty and territory integrity," he told Hu, according to a diplomatic source who participated in the talks.

He applauded Hu Jintao's visit to Indonesia last April, saying the Indonesian government is dedicated to enhancing and enriching the strategic partnership with China.

Susilo agreed on Hu's proposals in improving bilateral cooperation, saying the growing trade and expanding cooperation

"illustrated the vigor and potential of the two countries' friendly relations".

He appreciated China's preferential loan, vowing to further promote cooperation with China in politics, economy and trade, investment, tourism, education, culture and international affairs.

He said the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) highly values China's positive role in international and regional issues and the China-ASEAN cooperation is beneficial to peace, stability and development in Asia.

Besides Beijing, Susilo and his 100-member delegation will also travel to China's special economic zone and an economic engine Shenzhen in south China's Guangdong Province.

Source: Xinhua