Indonesian president meets with Chinese security official

JAKARTA, Feb. 3 -- Indonesian President Joko Widodo met with Meng Jianzhu, a senior Chinese security official here on Tuesday.

Meng, head of the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and a special envoy of President Xi Jinping, conveyed an oral message from Xi to President Joko.

China and Indonesia are inseparable and mutually supportive neighbors, and Indonesia has been a priority in China's neighboring diplomacy. China supports Indonesia to play a bigger role in the ASEAN and international affairs, said Meng, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

This year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of the bilateral diplomatic relationship between the two countries, and China will take this opportunity to work with Indonesia on the full implementation of the common understanding reached by leaders of both sides, integrating China's "21st Century Maritime Silk Road" initiative and Indonesia's strategy of "building a maritime power."

Meng stressed that China always advocates common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security in Asia and wishes to expand cooperation with Indonesia in law enforcement and security areas.

Meng suggested that the two countries should work together to fight against drug smuggling, cyber crimes, illegal exit or entry and other transnational crimes.

The two counties need to establish and improve a cooperative mechanism and jointly promote the cooperation between China and ASEAN in the security area, said Meng.

President Joko, on his part, expressed gratitude towards President Xi's message, and asked Meng to convey his best wishes to President Xi, adding that Indonesia appreciates the support and assistance China offered in the AirAsia plane crash.

Indonesia expects the two sides to deepen cooperation in the infrastructure sector such as harbors and railways, and Indonesia welcomes China to expand investment in the country and reap early harvests, said President Joko.

Indonesia is also willing to boost cooperation in law enforcement and security areas with China to provide an important guarantee for the peace and development in both countries and the region, according to Joko.

Meng Jianzhu arrived in Jakarta and started his three-day visit to Indonesia on Monday.

Besides President Joko Widodo, he also met with Tedjo, Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, as well as several other Indonesian law and anti- corruption figures, and witnessed the signing of relevant cooperation documents.