China´s Hu meets Indonesian president, pledging for reinforced strategic partnership

Source: Xinhua | 10-24-2008 10:13

BEIJING, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao met with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Thursday morning, vowing to further advance strategic partnership and jointly contribute to the financial stability of the region.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (2nd L) meets with Indonesian  President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (2nd R) at the Great  Hall of the People in Beijing, China, Oct. 23, 2008. Susilo  Bambang Yudhoyono is here to attend the seventh Asia-Europe  Meeting (ASEM) to be held on Oct. 24-25. (Xinhua Photo)

Calling Indonesia a good neighbor and a strategic partner of China, Hu said China would like to work with Indonesia to enrich the contents of the bilateral ties.

He suggested the two sides reach consensus of and consequently implement the action plans of the bilateral strategic partnership as soon as possible.

Susilo, who was here to attend the seventh Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) to be held on Oct. 24 to 25, hailed the rapid development of bilateral cooperation in areas of politics, economy and judicature.

He agreed with Hu on framing the action plans at an early time, calling for a long-term strategic cooperation on energy, electronic and information technology, infrastructure, finance and others.

Hu said the current world economic situation was "complicated and severe."

Emerging markets and developing countries were facing with unfavorable global environment, including financial risks, weak external demand and rising inflation pressure, he said.

"We are willing to strengthen exchange and cooperation with Indonesia, supporting each other so to face the current challenges together and make contributions to the regional financial stability and healthy economic development."

Susilo said his country would like to work with China and other countries in the region, implementing the Chiang Mai Initiative, a swap arrangement fund through which ASEAN economies can help one another, so to help the countries which are heavily influenced by the financial crisis.

Hu also called for cooperation in energy and food safety, climate change and anti-terrorism between the two countries.

Hu expressed the gratitude to the Indonesian government for its support to China after the 8.0-magnitude earthquake jolted the southwestern Sichuan Province on May 12 and during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Indonesian government sent not only relief materials, but also medical workers to China after the quake, and also showed great support to the two Games, he said.

Hu said he was glad to have this opportunity to exchange opinions with President Susilo on the bilateral relations and the issues of common concern.

Considering the importance of the meeting, Susilo said, those who came to China with him include heads of related ministries as well as a large group of famous Indonesian business owners.

Established as a high-level forum between governments of Asia and Europe, the ASEM this year is expected to focus on how to respond to the current global financial crisis, rather than the earlier planned topics like climate change, sustainable development and energy security.

Editor:Du Xiaodan