Indonesian President Joko meets Chinese president's special envoy

JAKARTA - Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Saturday met with Chinese President Xi Jinping's special envoy Sun Chunlan, who was invited to attend the opening ceremony of the 2018 Asian Games.

Sun, a Chinese vice premier, first conveyed messages from President Xi, who extended cordial greetings and best wishes to President Joko and wished the 2018 Asian Games a complete success.

In the messages, Xi spoke highly of the remarkable achievements of Sino-Indonesian relations, adding that under the complicated and changing international situation, both sides should forge closer cooperation, take a clear-cut stand to safeguard the global free trade system and adhere to the principle of win-win cooperation and common development.

Sun said that with the strategic guidance of Xi and Joko, Sino-Indonesian ties have achieved rapid progress and mutual benefits.

She added that China is willing to work with Indonesia to strengthen strategic communication, expand practical cooperation, boost people-to-people exchanges, step up coordination on multilateral affairs and further strengthen bilateral relations with Indonesia.

Joko thanked Xi's messages and asked Sun to convey his best wishes to President Xi. The Indonesia president said Sun's appointment as President Xi's special envoy fully embodies the importance China attached to Indonesia as the host country for sports events and the cause of Olympic movement in Asia.

Indonesia values the relationship with China and has trust in the future of Sino-Indonesian relations, Joko added.