US, China hope for better ties

The United States and China have expressed hope that their relations with Indonesia during President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s second term will grow stronger as scores of world leaders congratulate the Indonesian President on his inauguration.

US President Barack Obama’s special envoy for Yudhoyono’s inauguration, Lisa P. Jackson, said here Tuesday the United States was looking forward to strengthening its bilateral relationship with Indonesia, especially on issues relating to prosperity, democracy, justice and diversity.

Jackson, who is the administrator of the US Environmental Protection Agency, said “Indonesia’s diversity in so many ways mirrors us in the US”.

She stated her country’s intention to work together with Indonesia in mitigating the impacts of climate change.

The Chinese ambassador to Indonesia, Zhang Qiyue, said although the economic relations between the two countries were very good, she expected to see even greater cooperation in the economic field in the coming five years.

“I’m sure that our relationship will strengthen and will be further consolidated. “We are looking forward to getting to know all the members of the Cabinet and working closely with all the ministers,” she said.