Chinese, Indonesian presidents chart course of future bilateral cooperation

JAKARTA, Oct. 3 -- Visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Indonesian counterpart, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, on Thursday mapped out the future course of their countries' cooperation.

The course of action was laid out in a joint document released Thursday and titled "Future Direction of China-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership."

During the visit, the two presidents held extensive and in-depth talks and reached important consensus on bilateral relations as well as global and regional issues of common concern.

Commending the past progress in the development of bilateral ties, they agreed to lift the China-Indonesia relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

On political cooperation, the two leaders emphasized that they will continue to enhance mutual support on issues involving the two countries' core interests and major concern.

Xi stressed Beijing's respect and support for Indonesia's national unity and territorial integrity, and Yudhoyono reiterated Jakarta's adherence to the one-China policy.

The two presidents agreed to maintain regular exchange of visits between leaders of the two countries and improve various bilateral consultation mechanisms.

They also hailed the achievements in bilateral defense cooperation and vowed to push forward cooperation in joint military exercises and training, maritime security, defense industry and non-traditional security areas.

The two sides agreed to intensify the bilateral counter-terrorism consultation mechanism and continue promoting judicial and law enforcement cooperation.

On the economic front, the two leaders pledged to continue working vigorously to achieve the 80-billion-U.S.-dollar goal in bilateral trade by 2015, and China vowed to continue to encourage its enterprises to increase direct investment in Indonesia.

The Chinese president reaffirmed Beijing's readiness to continue encouraging and supporting Chinese enterprises to participate in Indonesia's infrastructure development.

Yudhoyono welcomed and encouraged China's greater investment in and contribution to the infrastructural connectivity in Indonesia, such as railways, bridges, highways, seaports and airports.

The two leaders also agreed to boost industrial cooperation, improve connectivity between the two countries, and promote cooperation in ensuring food security and energy security.

In addition, the two sides agreed to push forward maritime cooperation and strengthen practical cooperation in such areas as navigation safety, maritime security, navy cooperation, marine scientific research and environmental protection.

They also pledged to promote cooperation in science and technology, and agreed to establish a joint committee to boost exchanges in aerospace surveying and satellite development, launch and application.

To enhance the understanding and friendship between the peoples of the two countries, the two sides agreed on a series of measures to expand cultural and non-governmental exchanges.

On international and regional affairs, the two presidents stressed the importance for people of all countries to independently decide their own social systems and development paths.

The two sides voiced support for the reform of the United Nations Security Council to better fulfill its responsibility of maintaining international peace and security.

They also recognized the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, now under negotiation, as an important platform for regional integration, and agreed to push forward relevant talks under the principles of openness, equality and mutual benefit, equitable development and common prosperity.

The two leaders recognized that it is the common responsibility of the countries in the region to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.

The document urged relevant parties to work together to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), enhance mutual trust, promote cooperation, and maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.

The two leaders agreed to work towards the eventual adoption of a code of conduct in the South China Sea in line with the principles and spirit of the DOC.

Xi left here for Malaysia on Thursday after a two-day state visit to Indonesia. After Malaysia, he will travel to the Indonesian resort island of Bali for the 21st informal economic leaders' meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.