Indonesia's top official speaks highly of China-Indonesia ties

The Indonesia-China bilateral relations have maintained a good momentum of development since the two country established strategic partnership, chairman of the Indonesia's highest body said on Sunday.

Addressing a welcome dinner for Yu Zhengsheng, China's top political advisor who is on a four-day visit to Indonesia, Chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly of Indonesia(MPR) Zulkifli Hasan said the relations have been further boosted after Indonesian President Joko Widodo took post.

China and Indonesia forged a strategic partnership in 2005, eight years later, Chinese president Xi Jinping and the then Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono agreed to lift bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Hasan said people of the two countries have a long history of friendly exchanges, evidenced by the close political and economic contact between the Sriwijaya Kingdom in Sumatra Island and ancient China during the 6th century.

Recalling China's active participation at the Asia Africa Summit and Bandung Conference commemoration in April this year, Hasan said President Xi had spent four days in Indonesia, which was a great honor for Indonesian and reflected the close relations between the two countries.

The chairman said as a large country as well as an important emerging power, China can play greater roles in regional and international affairs.

At the invitation of Hasan, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Yu Zhengsheng arrived in Indonesia on Saturday on the second-stop of his ASEAN tour after Thailand.

Yu is scheduled to meet with Indonesian President Widodo on Monday. Endi