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Visiting Chinese top legislator Li Peng and Indonesian parliament leaders agreed in Jakarta Monday to strengthen cooperation in a bid to boost overall ties of the two nations.
At a meeting with Tosari Widjaja and Muhaimin Iskandar, deputy speakers of the Indonesian parliament, Li attached great importance to boosting contact and cooperation between the two countries' legislative bodies, saying that it has proved to be an efficient way to advance bilateral understanding and relations.
Recalling the third annual meeting of the Association of Asian Parliaments for Peace (AAPP) hosted by China on April 16-19, Li said that the successful meeting highlights solidarity and friendship among parliaments of the Asian countries.
Li also briefed his hosts on China's people's congress system, saying that China is making great effort to improve its legal system and strengthen the supervision over the government and judiciary.
Tosari said that the Indonesian parliament, or House of Representatives, attaches great importance to its cooperation with the Chinese legislature, adding that Li's visit will promote the existing friendly relations between the two nations.
Tosari, who recently toured southern Chinese cities of Shenzhen and Guangzhou, also said that Indonesia can learn a great deal from China's successful experience to develop economy.
Li, chairman of the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People's Congress, arrived in Jakarta Sunday for a four-day official goodwill visit. He is to meet Indonesia's Vice President Hamzah Haz on Tuesday.
Indonesia: China's Growth Will Benefit All
China's development will not marginalize other Asian countries but will assist their progress, the chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly of Indonesia said yesterday.
Amien Rais made the remarks while meeting with China's top legislator, Li Peng, echoing Li's comments about China's diplomatic policy.
Li said China opposes and never pursues hegemony, adding that China's development will not threaten any country but assist efforts for world peace.
Li, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, said China attaches importance to developing friendly relations with neighboring countries, noting developing relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations plays a significant role in its diplomatic policy.
On the Taiwan question, Rais, leader of the archipelago's highest policy-making body, reiterated that Indonesia will continue to adhere to the one-China policy and will never change its stance, saying he believes the reunification of China will be realized.
One of the more sensitive issues between the two countries, the treatment of ethnic Chinese living in Indonesia, was also discussed yesterday during Li's visit.
Li, endorsing the contributions of ethnic Chinese to Indonesia's economic prosperity and social development, said Chinese-Indonesians have integrated well into Indonesian society. There are about 8 million Indonesians of Chinese origin, in addition to Chinese nationals.
The Chinese Government expressed its concern over violence against Chinese-Indonesians during the local turmoil in May 1998 and requested that the Indonesian Government undertake a thorough investigation to take effective measures to protect the rights and interests of ethnic Chinese.
Rais said that Indonesian citizens of Chinese origin are being treated equally in Indonesia and their rights are being protected.
The Indonesian Government said it will abolish all discriminatory policies against the local Chinese and other nationalities. For the sake of solidarity, Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri in February declared the lunar Chinese New Year as an official holiday. Li also yesterday met the Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Tosari Widjaja.
(Edited from and China Daily, September 10, 2002)
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