Li Peng's visit to Indonesia aimed at strengthening ties
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Speaker of the Chinese parliament Li Peng plans a working visit to Indonesia to discuss various issues related to the efforts to enhance bilateral relations between the two countries.
State Minister for Small and Medium Enterprises Alimarwan Hanan told reporters on Monday that Li would hold talks with Vice President Hamzah Haz on Sept. 10.
Alimarwan was speaking after accompanying Hamzah during a meeting with China's ambassador to Indonesia, Lu Shumin.
The second most powerful person in China will bring a 20- strong entourage, including several ministers and the Shantung provincial governor, Alimarwan said.
Spokesman for the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Marty Natalegawa told The Jakarta Post on Monday that the visit would be hosted by the People's Consultative Assembly.
"The visit will last from Sept. 8 to Sept. 13, and the assembly will play host to the state guest," Marty said.
Li Peng will meet with Hamzah as President Megawati Soekarnoputri is away on a 15-day overseas trip.
Relations between the two countries have been blossoming, especially since Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji visited Jakarta late last year with a promise to further increase the oil and gas trade.
In response, Megawati visited Beijing last March.
However, relations were put to the test a little when Taiwan's Vice President Annette Lu visited Jakarta last month, when she met executives of Indonesia's second largest party Golkar.
China officially lodged a protest with Jakarta for allowing Vice President Lu to enter the country, despite the fact that Indonesia supports the "one China policy".
Alimarwan said that during the meeting, the Chinese ambassador had not raised the issue of the Taiwanese number two's visit, but rather underlined China's commitment to maintaining good relations with Indonesia.
"Pak Hamzah said that he welcomed the visit and that Indonesia had a lot to learn from China, especially from its amazing development," Alimarwan said.