Chinese, Indonesian presidents greet bilateral meeting of people-to-people exchange mechanism

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Indonesian counterpart Joko Widodo extended congratulatory messages respectively to the first meeting of a bilateral High Level People-to-People Exchange Mechanism (PEM) held here on Wednesday.

In his message, Xi said that China and Indonesia have enhanced their political mutual trust and pragmatic cooperation, which have benefited both peoples, since the two countries forged a comprehensive strategic partnership in October 2013.

"I believe that the China-Indonesia people-to-people exchange mechanism at vice premier's level will help promote exchanges and cooperation between the two countries in the field of cultural and people-to-people exchange," Xi said.

There is a great potential for China-Indonesia mutually beneficial cooperation as the two countries' economies are highly complementary and the China-proposed 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and Indonesia's Global Maritime Fulcrum fit well with each other, he added.

The Chinese president hoped both sides could join hands to further advance their comprehensive strategic partnership.

Indonesian President Widodo said he and President Xi endorsed the establishment of the PEM during his visit to China in March, complementing political-security and economic dialogues already established, and providing public support and social network for vigorous bilateral relations.

"I strongly believe that this first meeting of Indonesia-China High Level PEM will further promote people-to-people ties whilst injecting new energy into a dynamic development of Indonesia-China relations," he said.

"I look forward to seeing positive results from the new mechanism and hope for stronger ties between our two nations."

Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong and Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Puan Maharani co-hosted the meeting. Endi