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China to continue strengthening ties with RI
On the 65th anniversary of its founding, the Peopleâs Republic of China pledged to continue to maintain the strong ties with Indonesia by cooperating fully with the incoming Joko âJokowiâ Widodo administration
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n the 65th anniversary of its founding, the People's Republic of China pledged to continue to maintain the strong ties with Indonesia by cooperating fully with the incoming Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo administration.
Recently appointed Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia Xie Feng praised China and Indonesia's bilateral ties, describing them as contributing greatly to the peace, stability and prosperity of both nations.
'The new government under president-elect Joko Widodo presents a new era for Indonesia, as well as new opportunities for strengthening and advancing our strategic partnerships,' Xie said during the anniversary event at the Shangri-La Hotel on Tuesday.
Xie, who is the 11th Chinese ambassador to Indonesia and who previously handled US relations with China, added that during a state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Indonesia in October 2013, both nations formed a comprehensive strategic partnership, which he said would further strengthen ties.
The event was attended by several Indonesian officials, including former president BJ Habibie, vice-president elect Jusuf Kalla, Finance Minister Chatib Basri and Deputy Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama.
People's Representative Council (MPR) speaker Sidarto Danusubroto was also present as the event's guest speaker.
Bilateral relations between Indonesia and China were officially established in 1950, with Indonesia becoming the first Southeast Asian nation to forge official diplomatic ties with China.
Sino-Indonesian relations were suspended in 1967 in the aftermath of the demise of the Indonesian Communist Party in 1965.
Relations began to ease in the 1980's and the two countries reestablished diplomatic relations in 1990.
Indonesia has maintained an embassy in Beijing since 1950, as well as consulates in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong.
China maintains an embassy in Jakarta along with consulates in Surabaya, East Java, and Medan, North Sumatra.
China is the second-largest recipient of Indonesian exports after Japan. It is also the largest source of imports to Indonesia.
In 2013, total trade between the two countries reached US$52.45 million. From January to June 2014, total trade reached $24.52 million.
Both China and Indonesia have set an $80 billion trade target between the two countries by 2015. (dyl)
