Presidents’ talks focus on deepening trust and cooperation

By Zhao Huanxin (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-11-14 00:38

SINGAPORE: Chinese President Hu Jintao met with his Indonesian, Peruvian and Chilean counterparts in a flurry of diplomatic activities Friday afternoon, seeking to increase mutual trust in the political area, and expand collaboration in trade.

All the leaders are in Singapore to attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Informal Meeting, which is due to open here on Saturday.

In his talks with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Hu said both nations are in a critical stage of development and faced with challenges and opportunities for cooperation.

Hu said China is ready to work with Indonesia to continually advance their strategic partnership, and will continue to support Indonesia in its national construction and rehabilitation of the disaster-stricken areas.

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The two countries should deepen mutual trust in the political area and leaders of the two countries should have prompt and extensive exchanges of views on major issues. They should also enhance coordination and cooperation in multilateral arenas such as the United Nations, the World Trade Organization and the Group of 20.

He suggested the two sides sign the strategic partnership action plan sooner, to enhance the level of their bilateral strategic cooperation.

Susilo said he fully agreed with Hu's suggestions. He said Indonesia is ready to maintain high-level contacts and continually strengthen exchange with China in such areas as politics, defense and education.

Increasing political mutual trust and stepping up coordination in international arena is also a topic between President Hu and his Peruvian counterpart Alan Garcia.

Building on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) the two countries signed in April this year, the two countries should push their cooperation to higher levels in sectors including trade, energy, mining and infrastructure construction, Hu said.

Garcia said Peru is ready to work close with China to promote their strategic partnership.

He said Peru welcomed the Chinese Navy fleet, which is scheduled to pay a good-will visit to Peru next month.

During his meeting with Chilean President Michelle Bachelet Jeria, Hu said the two countries should make joint efforts to counter the international financial crisis, and adopt measures to secure the steady growth of bilateral trade.

Bachelet said Chile and China shared standpoints in addressing climate change; both stick to the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities” among developed and developing countries. She said she hoped the two nations would work along to protect the interests of developing countries.