Visiting Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji Wednesday in Jakarta stressed
the need for China and Indonesia to boost mutually beneficial
cooperation in his talks with Indonesian President Megawati. Both
sides agreed to further promote the exchanges and cooperation in
various spheres and signed four memoranda of understanding on
encouraging more assistance and cooperation.
China's support to Indonesia unremitting: Zhu
In
his talks with Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri, Premier
Zhu said that China will continue to support Indonesia's efforts in
safeguarding territorial integrity, national unity and the
co-existence of its ethnic groups.
China has always been sticking to the firm policy to consolidate
and develop the traditional friendly bilateral relations fostered
by the leaders of the old generation, Zhu said.
Manifold exchanges expected
In
addition to keeping the frequent exchange of visits and contacts at
the high level, the two nations should enhance mutual understanding
and cooperation between government departments, political parties
and congresses through various channels, Premier Zhu proposed to
the Indonesian president.
Cooperation in trade, culture and education positive
Zhu said the two nations should cooperate in trade on the basis of
equality, mutual benefit, long-term cooperation and mutual
development. Besides, more cultural and educational bilateral
exchanges and cooperation should also be promoted which have played
a positive role in promoting common understanding and friendship
between the two countries.
According to official statistics, in spite of a global economic
downturn, the bilateral trade volume amounted to 7.5 billion U.S.
dollars last year, and the figure reached five billion dollars in
the first nine months of this year.
Joint efforts needed in dealing with international
affairs
China hopes to keep the current developing momentum in these areas,
Zhu added. The two nations, both having an important influence on
world peace and development, should also enhance their cooperation
in dealing with international and regional affairs.
Megawati: bilateral economic cooperation satisfactory
Megawati said Indonesia is looking forward to the support and help
of China in both its national economic development and regional
affairs. She voiced her satisfaction over bilateral economic
cooperation between the two countries.
Both Zhu and Megawati agreed that priority should be given to
agriculture, energy, resources development and infrastructure
construction for future cooperation.
Zhu came here earlier Wednesday for a five-day official visit to
Indonesia.
Accords and memoranda of understanding signed for further
cooperation
Premier Zhu and President Megawati took part in a signing ceremony
after their talks. Both sides signed a number of accords including
the agreement on cultural cooperation and the agreement on avoiding
dual taxation and preventing tax dodging and tax evasion.
The two countries also signed four memoranda of understanding on
encouraging more Chinese travelers to Indonesia, agricultural
cooperation and China's free economic and technical assistance to
Indonesia, as well as on the possibility for the Bank of China to
open a branch in Indonesia.
(
November 8, 2001)