RI and China work at cooperation

JAKARTA (JP): Senior officials from Indonesia and China have completed three days of bilateral consultations which resulted in a draft document on the framework of cooperation as the main foundation for enhancing bilateral relations in the 21st Century.

An Indonesian Foreign Ministry statement said on Wednesday that the meetings concluded in Beijing on Tuesday.

The meeting specifically discussed two essential documents to broaden and deepen relations as a follow-up to President Abdurrahman Wahid's visit to China last year.

Apart from the framework of cooperation, the other document discussed would serve as an umbrella for bilateral mechanisms involving sectoral aspects of the relationship.

The two documents are expected to be signed later this year when Indonesian foreign minister Alwi Shihab visits China to commemorate the 50th anniversary of bilateral ties.

During the meetings which just ended, both sides expressed satisfaction at improvements in bilateral ties in the past few decades and agreed that Abdurrahman's visit had opened a new chapter since the reestablishment of diplomatic relations. (mds)