Mutual benefits in spotlight in Beijing (2)

President Xi Jinping holds a welcoming ceremony for Indonesian President Joko Widodo prior to their talks in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct 17, 2023. Joko Widodo is in Beijing to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and pay a state visit to China. [Photo/Xinhua]

INDONESIA

President Xi Jinping hailed on Tuesday the tremendous benefits that cooperation between China and Indonesia has brought to the peoples of the two countries, saying that Beijing and Jakarta have set a good example for international cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Xi made the remarks when meeting in Beijing with Indonesian President Joko Widodo. Xi first proposed jointly building the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road in Indonesia in 2013.

He emphasized that China, together with Indonesia, will continue to view and develop bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, deepen all-around strategic cooperation and boost support for each other on issues of core interest and major concern, thus pursuing modernization paths suited to their respective national conditions.

Noting that the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway is a flagship project of China-Indonesia cooperation under the BRI, Xi called on the two sides to summarize their successful experiences, ensure the railway's high-quality operation and develop an economic corridor centered around it.

China supports the participation of its government bodies and enterprises in the construction of major projects such as Indonesia's building of a new capital, he said.

Xi expressed China's willingness to increase imports of high-quality agricultural and fishery products from Indonesia, strengthen cooperation in emerging industries such as the digital economy and photovoltaics, and proactively engage in exchanges and cooperation in areas such as food and agricultural technologies, poverty alleviation, healthcare and education.

China and Indonesia should closely coordinate to maintain the central position of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, promote open regionalism and fulfill the responsibility of major developing countries, in order to jointly promote reform of the global governance system and uphold international fairness and justice, Xi added.

Widodo, who is also paying a state visit to China, said his country regards China as a significant strategic partner and expects to further strengthen cooperation and mutual trust with China to develop a closer partnership.

The two heads of state jointly inaugurated the operation of the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway after their talks.

MO JINGXI