Visiting Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang met with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono Monday afternoon, calling on the two countries to step up partnership and tackle the international financial crisis.

Li said that the development of cooperation between China and Indonesia, both as important developing countries in the region, serves to the significant purpose to promote peace and stability in the region and the world.

Li highlighted the growth momentum of the bilateral cooperation in infrastructure and energy sectors, citing the Suramadu Bridge being constructed by the Chinese company in Surabaya as a symbol of the bilateral cooperation.

Li said the two nations share huge potential for cooperation, noting that China will support and encourage the Chinese companies to participate in Indonesia's infrastructure construction, share successful experience on domestic economic development.

Li also called on Indonesia to intensify exchange and dialogue so as to tackle the current international financial crisis.

Susilo welcomed Li's visit and recognized the rapid development of Indonesia-China relations since the two nations forged strategic partnership in 2005.

He also voiced his appreciation of the success of Beijing Olympic Games, highlighting the sports event as a pride for the Asian people.

The development of China is not only conducive to the Indonesia-China cooperation, but also of great significance to the common prosperity in the region and world as well, he said.

The Indonesian president also expressed his gratitude for China's help in the country's economic development, suggesting that the two countries work closer and boost bilateral cooperation.

The Chinese Vice Premier also addressed a welcoming luncheon hosted by the Indonesian business community on Monday. He told the entrepreneurs from 33 Indonesian provincial districts that the two-way trade is expected to exceed 30 billion U.S. dollars by the end of 2008, an objective previously set to be realized in 2010, and Chinese government is willing to make joint efforts with the Indonesian business community to expand the fields and promote the level of the bilateral cooperation.

(Xinhua News Agency December 24, 2008)