President Hu Jintao and Indonesian President Su-silo Bam-bang Yud-ho-yono have agreed to strengthen consultation and cooperation to raise the bilateral strategic partnership to higher levels. The heads of state reached the agreement during their talks held in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Friday morning.

This marks the second time the Indonesian president paid a state visit to China. President Susilo made his first visit to China in July 2005, several months after President Hu Jintao visited Indonesia and announced the establishment of a strategic partnership between the two countries.

President Hu said that since the establishment of the strategic partnership, bilateral links have seen healthy and rapid growth with fruitful cooperation in various areas. He also said China appreciates Indonesia for its adherence to the one-China policy and firmly supports Indonesia in its effort to safeguard national unity and territorial integrity.

For his part, President Susilo said Indonesia regards China as a major cooperative partner, and expressed the confidence that the strategic partnership will continue to advance on the existing sound basis.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) shakes hands with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono during a welcoming ceremony Hu held for Susilo at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 23, 2012. [Xinhua/Huang Jingwen]

Hu said China is ready to work with Indonesia to further deepen the strategic partnership in the following six areas:

Strengthen strategic communication and enhance mutual trust as good neighbours; expand trade and economic cooperation to promote common development; deepen defence cooperation by gradually expanding the scope of collaboration on defence and security, staging joint drills, increasing visits, jointly combating terrorism and cross-border crimes, and safeguarding the security and peace of their own countries and the region; carry out maritime and space cooperation; expand cultural and people-to-people exchanges by increasing cooperation in the areas of education, media, youth and tourism; and strengthen cooperation on regional and international issues in order to safeguard their common interests.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (2nd L) and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (3rd L) inspect the guard of honor during a welcoming ceremony Hu held for Susilo at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 23, 2012. [Xinhua/Zhang Duo]

Susilo fully agreed with the six propositions that President Hu put forward, saying Indonesia is willing to maintain close high-level contact and dialogue as well as consultation at all levels with China.

After the talks, the two Presidents attended the signing ceremony for a number of bilateral cooperation documents, including those on maritime cooperation, anti-drug cooperation, trade and tourism.