In a significant move to bolster bilateral ties, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indonesian President Joko Widodo held a phone conversation on Monday, reaffirming their commitment to enhance cooperation between their nations.
President Xi emphasized China’s willingness to work closely with Indonesia to promote high-quality collaboration under the Belt and Road Initiative. He highlighted the importance of ensuring the sustainable operation of the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway—a landmark project symbolizing the strong partnership between the two countries. “We aim to create more highlights of cooperation to better benefit the people of both countries,” Xi stated.
Reflecting on their shared journey over the past decade, Xi acknowledged President Widodo’s contributions to the China-Indonesia friendship. During Widodo’s 10-year tenure, he has visited China eight times and met with Xi 12 times. These frequent interactions have opened a new chapter in jointly building a community with a shared future and have established a new pattern of all-round strategic cooperation.
“China highly appreciates your important contribution to our friendship,” Xi remarked. He expressed confidence that Indonesia’s new government will continue its friendly policy towards China, pushing the building of a China-Indonesia community with a shared future to new heights.
Looking ahead, Xi noted that next year marks the 70th anniversary of the Bandung Conference, a significant event in Asian and African solidarity. He expressed China’s readiness to work with Indonesia to carry forward the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and the Bandung Spirit. “We aim to strengthen solidarity and cooperation among Global South countries, safeguard the common interests of developing countries, and promote regional and global development, prosperity, and stability,” Xi said.
President Widodo reciprocated the sentiments, expressing his deep friendship with President Xi formed over the past decade. “Our comprehensive strategic partnership has led to significant achievements in mutually beneficial cooperation across various fields,” Widodo said.
He extended gratitude to China for its contributions to Indonesia’s economic development, particularly highlighting the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway. “This railway has become a model for Belt and Road cooperation between our nations,” Widodo noted.
With optimism, Widodo voiced confidence that under Indonesia’s new government, the strong momentum of growth in the Indonesia-China relationship will continue. “I believe our partnership will reach new levels of collaboration and prosperity,” he concluded.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
