Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan met in Beijing Thursday separately with Indonesian Foreign Minister Hasan Wirayuda and Secretary-General Q.A.M.A. Rahim of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

When meeting with Wirayuda, Tang said China and Indonesia are big developing countries and important neighbors, whose relations have maintained a good development momentum due to the importance attached to by their leaders.

China supports Indonesia's efforts in safeguarding national stability and promoting economic development, Tang said, expressing gratitude for Indonesia's staunch support for China on issues of Taiwan and human rights and its contribution to enhancing the strategic partnership between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China.

Wirayuda said the Indonesian government is willing to develop long-term strategic friendship and cooperation with China, and will stick to the one-China policy.

He said he is visiting China to co-chair with Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing the first meeting of the joint committee of bilateral cooperation between the two governments and to promote the two nations' cooperation in all spheres.

When meeting with Rahim, Tang said the SAARC is the only regional cooperation organization in south Asia that covers all nations in the region and it has made unremitting efforts in promoting the economic, social and cultural development of the region.

He said China is ready to strengthen dialogue and communication with the SAARC to promote regional cooperation in south Asia and the whole continent at large.

Rahim said his organization looks forward to developing fruitful and reciprocal cooperation with China.

Rahim is visiting Beijing after attending the 60th session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific of the United Nations held in Shanghai.

(Xinhua News Agency April 30, 2004)