Indonesia, China meet to develop political trust

Representatives from Indonesia’s Peoples Consultative Assembly (MPR) met with members of China’s parliament on Tuesday to discuss various topics related to the deepening mutual political trust between the two nations.

MPR chairman Taufik Kiemas praised China’s parliamentary visit, saying it marked a step forward for harmonious relations between the two countries.

“We have managed to develop mutual respect in our bilateral relations. This is a fact we should be proud of. Of course, we expect to be able to nurture this beneficial relationship in the future,” Kiemas said after the one-hour meeting with China’s National People’s Congress chairman Wu Bangguo.

Kiemas said the China delegation took time to express their empathy over a series of disasters that have hit Indonesia in past weeks.

Conccuring with Kiemas, Bangguo said in a written statement said that the visit was made possible to mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and China.

“Since the establishment of our strategic partnership in 2005, China-Indonesia relations have entered a new era of development featuring deepening mutual political trust, comprehensive economic and trade cooperation and increasing people-to-people exchanges,” Bangguo said.

Besides meeting Kiemas, Bangguo also met House of Regional Representatives Speaker Irman Gusman.