Chinese Vice-President Arrives in Indonesia's Capital

Chinese Vice-President Hu Jintao Arrives in Jakarta

After a-busy-day visit to the tropical resort island Bali and the historical cultural city Yogyakarta, Chinese Vice-President Hu Jintao arrived in Indonesian capital of Jakarta Sunday evening to continue his four-day official tour of the country.

Accompanied by Indonesian Transportation Minister Agum Gumelar and Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia Chen Shiqiu, Hu's special plane landed at the Halim Military Airport at 6:00 p.m. local time.

Hu and his wife Liu Yongqing were warmly greeted by a number of Indonesian high-ranking officials and their wives including Acting Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs and Minister of Home Affairs Surjadi Sudirdja, Coordinating Minister for Economy, Finance and Industry Kwik Kian Gie, Coordinating Minister of Social Welfare and Poverty Eradicatin Basir Hasanuddin, Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono, Governor of Jakarta Province Sutiyoso, Jakarta Military Commander Ryamizard Ryacudu and Director General for Protocol Affairs from Foreign Ministry Rachmat Ranudiwijaya.

This is Hu's first visit to Indonesia at the invitation of Indonesian Vice-President Megawati Soekarnoputri. He is also the highest Chinese official to visit the country since Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji's visit in 1996.

In his written statement upon his arrival, Hu said it's a great pleasure for him to pay an official visit to the picturesque and richly endowed country of islands and in the invitation of Excellency Vice-President Megawati Soekarnoputri.

"China and Indonesia are friendly neighbors. And our two peoples have profound traditional friendship. In recent years, with the concerted efforts of the two sides, the bilateral relations have been further consolidated and developed and the mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields has produced great results, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples and contributing significantly to the regional stability and development," he said.

During the visit, Hu said he will call on Excellency President Abdurahman Wahid, exchange views with Megawati in a frank and sincere manner on bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest, and meet well-known Indonesian personages from all walks of life.

"I hope this visit will have enhanced mutual understanding and trust between the two countries and be beneficial to the healthy development of China-Indonesia good-neighbourly relations of mutual trust and all-round cooperation," he added.

During his visit in Bali, Hu and his delegation had met with Foreign Minister Alwi Shihab, Transportation Minister Agum Gumelar, Vice-President's Secretary Bambang Kesowo, Governor of the Bali province Dewa Made Beratha, and Bali's Military Commander Gen. Kiki Syahanakri. The Chinese delegation also visited some factories there.

In Yogyakarta, the Chinese Vice-President met with Governor of the Yogyakarta province Hamengkubuwono X and Yogyakarta's Military Commander Gen. Sumarsono. He also visited the famous Borobudur Temple near Yogyakarta.

Sunday evening, Hu called on Chinese Embassy staff and meet with representatives of Chinese companies in Indonesia.

During his stay in Jakarta, Hu is expected to meet with Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid and hold talks with his counterpart Megawati Soekarnoputri on bilateral relations and other issues of mutual interest. He will also meet with Chairman of the People's Consultatives Assembly Amien Rais and Speaker of House of Representatives Akbar Tanjung.