Imron told a source Monday that he left for Beijing on the day to lead a preparation for the visit of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, scheduled to arrive in Jakarta late April to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Indonesia-China relations.

Imron has been implicated in the US$2.2 million airfare graft case and has been questioned by the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) as a witness.

The AGO announced after the questioning session that Imron remained a witness in the case, prompting a number of legislators to voice support for Imron to promptly leave for his new post.

Foreign Ministry’s spokesman Teuku Faizasyah confirmed that Imron left for his new post and would present his credential letter to the Chinese president.

“After he presents the credential, he can officially assume the position,” said Faizasyah, adding he was not aware when it would occur.

Indonesia and China has been gearing for the visit of Wen with a visit exchange by delegations to Beijing and Jakarta. Last week, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi received a delegation of Indonesian scholars, officials and journalists, led by Jakarta-based think-tank Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

Rizal Sukma, CSIS executive director, said Tuesday that China was keen to enhance bilateral relations with Indonesia, which Beijing perceived as the most important country in Southeast Asia.

Relations have flourished since the resumption of diplomatic ties in 1990, especially after the regime change in Jakarta in 1998 and the signing of the Strategic Partnership between Jakarta and Beijing in 2005. The action plan of the partnership, which includes economics, politics and defense, was signed in January this year in Jakarta.

“Indonesia is the largest ASEAN member and has played a leading role in the region. It is also rich in natural resources. China recognizes the importance of establishing good relations with us after a period of difficulty that peaked in the freezing of diplomatic contacts,” said Rizal.

“But at this particular point, if China wants to invest and develop economic relations with Indonesia it should see us beyond a country rich in natural resources.”

He said bilateral cooperation must include manufacturing, technology transfer and the financial sector. “We do not want to be seen as a commodities supplier. However, they  have taken this point seriously.”

Indonesia and China set a target to reach bilateral trade of US$30 billion by 2010, but in 2008, the target  was surpassed, with a two-way trade standing at $31.5 billion in favor of China. Both are now set to have a bilateral trade target of $50 billion in 2014.

Besides bilateral relations, China is also said to be keen on enhancing ties with ASEAN. China is the first ASEAN dialogue partner that signed an FTA and Treaty of Amity and Cooperation with the group.

China, together with Japan, also contributed the largest amount to the currency exchange arrangement under the Chiang Mai Initiative, to help solve liquidity problems.

The visit of Wen will be followed by the visit of US President Barack Obama in June as the latter has also increased its attention on Southeast Asia amid China’s dominance in the region.

Indonesia has recently welcomed the US to join the East Asia Summit, which convened 10 ASEAN members and China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand.

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