Hu meets Indonesian President

Indonesia's President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (L) shakes hands with Chinese President Hu Jintao during their meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing October 23, 2008. Dozens of Asian and European leaders, representing half the global economy, have gathered in Beijing this week at the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) starting Friday. The 27 EU member states and the European Commission will trade views with Japan, China, India and 13 other Asian countries on the global downturn, climate change and international security.[Agencies]

Chinese President Hu Jintao met with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Thursday morning, vowing to further advance strategic partnership and jointly contribute to the financial stability of the region.

Calling Indonesia a good neighbour and a strategic partner of China, Hu said China would like to work with Indonesia to enrich the contents of the bilateral ties.

He suggested the two sides reach consensus of and consequently implement the action plans of the bilateral strategic partnership as soon as possible.

Susilo hailed the rapid development of bilateral cooperation in areas of politics, economy and judicature.

He agreed with Hu on framing the action plans at an early time, calling for a long-term strategic cooperation on energy, electronic and information technology, infrastructure, finance and others.

Hu said the current world economic situation was "complicated and severe".

Emerging markets and developing countries were facing with unfavorable global environment, including financial risks, weak external demand and rising inflation pressure, he said.

"We are willing to strengthen exchange and cooperation with Indonesia, supporting each other so to face the current challenges together and make contributions to the regional financial stability and healthy economic development."

Susilo said his country would like to work with China and other countries in the region, implementing the Chiang Mai Initiative, a swap arrangement fund through which ASEAN economies can help one another, so to help the countries which are heavily influenced by the financial crisis.

Hu also called for cooperation in energy and food safety, climate change and anti-terrorism between the two countries.

Hu expressed the gratitude to the Indonesian government for its support to China after the 8.0-magnitude earthquake jolted the southwestern Sichuan Province on May 12 and during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Indonesian government sent not only relief materials, but also medical workers to China after the quake, and also showed great support to the two Games, he said.

Hu said he was glad to have this opportunity to exchange opinions with President Susilo on the bilateral relations and the issues of common concern.

Considering the importance of the meeting, Susilo said, those who came to China with him include heads of related ministries as well as a large group of famous Indonesian business owners.