Xi congratulates Indonesia president-elect

Message stresses China’s readiness to build on robust bilateral relationship, envoy says

The congratulatory message from President Xi Jinping to Indonesian President-elect Prabowo Subianto underscores China’s readiness to build on the robust diplomatic ties, fueling expectations for more outcomes from the bilateral community with a shared future, said Beijing’s top envoy to Jakarta.

In the message extended to Subianto on Wednesday, the Chinese president stressed his strong emphasis on the development of ties with Indonesia, saying that he looks forward to concerted efforts with the presidentelect to usher in greater achievements in building a bilateral community with a shared future.

The two nations should set an example of solidarity and coordination for common development among major developing countries, deliver more benefits to the two peoples and give strong impetus to regional and global prosperity and stability, Xi said.

Subianto, who is the defense minister of Indonesia, was announced as the winner of the Southeast Asian country’s presidential election on Wednesday, securing the Feb 14 contest with nearly 60 percent of the votes.

In an interview with China Daily, Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia Lu Kang underlined Beijing’s readiness to work with the new Indonesian government to continue building highlevel strategic trust, deepening comprehensive strategic cooperation and promoting substantial development of the China-Indonesia community with a shared future.

Lu said Chinese leaders extended congratulatory messages to Subianto and his running mate, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, immediately after the official announcement of the election results.

“This speaks volumes for the high regard Chinese leaders have for the development of China-Indonesia relations,” he said.

“It is the common aspiration of the Chinese and Indonesian people to maintain the sustained and steady development of bilateral relations,” Lu said. “We believe that in the future, we will see more frequent and closer interactions between the leaders of the two countries,” he added.

The envoy noted that the relationship between China and Indonesia, under the strategic guidance of Xi and President Joko Widodo, has grown rapidly.

The two sides have kept enhancing alignment in development strategies, jointly established a high-level dialogue and cooperation mechanism, and formed a new pattern of “fourwheel drive” cooperation in the political, economic, cultural and maritime fields, he said.

As one of the landmark projects of the Belt and Road Initiative, the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway has proved to be a resounding success, facilitating the travel of the Indonesian people and propelling economic growth.

Lu said one of the key experiences of the success of the project is that the two partnering sides have always adhered to the principle of wide consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits.

The success will enable both nations to further substantiate their Belt and Road cooperation and set a new landmark for pragmatic cooperation across various sectors, especially in infrastructure and production capacity, said the ambassador.

AGUNG KUNCAHYA B. / XINHUA Indonesia’s President-elect Prabowo Subianto greets supporters at a gathering in Jakarta on Wednesday. The nation’s General Elections Commission announced on Wednesday that Subianto and vice-presidential candidate Gibran Rakabuming Raka had won the presidential election, which was held on Feb 14.