President Calls For Increased Ties With China

Jakarta, Sept 19 (Antara) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has called for increased bilateral relations between Indonesia and China. "We hope to continue what had been achieved by former President Hu Jintao and Prime Minister Wen Jiabao; we hope that the relation between Indonesia and China could be further strengthened under the leadership of President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Li Keqiang," said the president on Thursday. The Indonesian head of state made this statement when receiving Member of the Chinese State Council Yang Jiechi and his delegation, who arrived in Jakarta for the Fourth Dialogue on Indonesia-China Political, Legal and Security Issues. "The relations between Indonesia and China are currently strong, and hopefully, they are further strengthened in future," he noted. Relations between the two countries have flourished significantly, following the signing of a strategic partnership accord in April 2005. The improved ties between the two countries would also contribute to regional stability and welfare, said Yudhoyono. He hopes that the fourth dialogue session could help strengthen bilateral ties in future. Indonesian Ambassador to China and Mongolia Imron Cotan said bilateral relations have developed significantly. Bilateral trade increased from US$26.6 billion in 2009 to US$66.6 billion in 2012. China is Indonesia`s largest trade partner at present, and bilateral trade value is expected to reach US$80 billion by 2015. The value of Chinese investments in Indonesia was recorded at US$2.2 billion in 2012. The number of Chinese tourists visiting Indonesia increased from 246 thousand in 2009 to almost one million in 2012.