Jakarta (28/04) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhonono (SBY) presented
several books on Indonesia to H.E. Mr. Li Changchun – one of the nine members
of the Standing Committee of China’s Communist Party’s Political Bureau – when
the latter paid a courtesy call, 26 April 2012, at the Presidential Office in
Jakarta.
When presenting the books, President SBY invoked one of Indonesian
adages that says: ‘in
order to love, we need to know first’. So through the books, he sincerely
hoped that the people of China, in particular H.E. Mr. Li Changchun, could have
a better understanding about Indonesia.
Likewise, H.E. Mr. Li Changchun also presented several books on Chinese
philosophy and culture to President SBY.
The meeting between the President and H.E Mr. Li Changchun is yet
another milestone in underlining the need for Indonesia and China to further
widen and deepen their relations through people-to-people contacts,
particularly through arts, cultural, and media. The two state leaders also discussed
other global agenda in the context of accelerating the implementation of the strategic
partnership (2005).
After the meeting, Minister for Information and Communication H.E Mr. Tifatul Sembiring and Indonesian
Ambassador to China and Mongolia, H.E Mr. Imron Cotan, briefed the media on the
results of the meeting between the two, covering, inter-alia: youth exchange, scholarship for Indonesian
students, and training for Mandarin language teachers.
Closing the media briefing, Indonesian Ambassador underlined the point that
without the two biggest countries in their respective region cooperating
closely, there will be no peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.
H.E
Mr. Li Changchun also met with Speaker of the Indonesian Parliament, H.E. Mr.
Marzuki Alie and jointly witnessed the signing of three G-to-G agreements,
covering: cooperation on radio and television, cooperation in managing museum, and
cooperation on capacity building of the Indonesian Mandarin teachers as well as
the sending of trainers for Mandarin language to Indonesia. While at B-to-B front,
three agreements were signed, covering: cooperation between Bank of China with
Indonesia China Business Club, cooperation on oil palm plantation development
between Julong Group and PT Palmina Utama, and the launching of Longping – Pertani
Joint Center for Hybrid Rice Development in Indonesia.
In his meeting with the President and Speaker of the House, H.E Mr. Li
Changchun conveyed his country commitments to push for cultural and media
cooperation as demonstrated in the agreements signed during the visit.
The government of China offered an assistance amounting to RMB 5 billion
(US$ 730 thousand) to develop Indonesia’s human resources. At the same time, it
also invited 20 Indonesian students to come and visit China next Summer, and 100
Indonesian youths and teachers to visit China annually, and to send Chinese teachers
to teach Mandarin in the Language Center at Indonesian Peace and Security Center
(IPSC).
During the visit, H.E Mr. Li Changchun was accompanied by a number of high-ranking
officials, such as: Vice Minister for Publicity CPC Mr. Luo Shugang, Director
General State Council Affairs Mr. Wang Chen, Minister of Culture Mr. Cai Wu,
Director General for General Administration of Press and Publication Mr. Liu
Binjie, Director General State Administration of Radio Film and Television Mr.
Chai Puchao, and Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia H.E Mr. Liu Jianchao.
In China, the CPC’s Standing Committee of the Political Bureau is the highest
political organ and consists of 9 members, affectionately called as ‘the 9 Dragons’. H.E Mr. Li Changchun is
ranked number 5th in the Standing Committee.
When visiting Beijing last March, President SBY also met with H.E Mr. Li
Changchun during which the two leaders discussed wide-ranging issues of common
concerns.
H.E. Mr. Li Changchun’s visit to Jakarta was also meant to ascertain
that agreements secured during President SBY’s recent state visit to China are
fully implemented.