VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Chinese President Xi Jinping has appreciated the Indonesian government for successfully holding simultaneous elections that took place safely and smoothly.

"We want to congratulate the Indonesian government for successfully holding elections," he said while receiving a courtesy call from Indonesia's Vice President Jusuf Kalla at China's Great Hall here on Thursday.

President Xi recounted his memory when describing the idea of Belt and Road in Jakarta in 2013.

"Of course I am very happy because China 's relations with Indonesia are increasing," said Xi who was accompanied by a number of Chinese government officials, including Government Adviser and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Meanwhile, Vice President Kalla conveyed President Joko Widodo's best regards to Xi and Widodo's apology for not being able to meet the invitation of the Chinese president at the International Belt Road Cooperation Conference (BRF) II in Beijing on April 24-27 2019.

"President Jokowi entrusted his letter (to me) for His Excellency (Chinese president) because he could not attend the event," he said.

The vice president also expressed his gratitude for the congratulations of President Xi Jinping for the successful implementation of elections in Indonesia.

Previously in a different place, Kalla also met with Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan.

"I thank you for this very warm welcome. This visit was very useful. The president was busy because the general elections had just finished so it was still very important to be in the country," Kalla told his colleague.

He also expressed his congratulations on the implementation of the BRF II and Indonesia as a country located in the Belt Road area expected very much for the implementation of the meeting.

In that brief and warm meeting, Wang shared his experience during a visit to Indonesia in 2005 as Mayor of Beijing.

"At that time, I received him," said Jusuf Kalla who that time served as Vice President accompanying President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

During a courtesy call to Xi Jinping, Vice President Kalla was accompanied by Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Panjaitan, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno LP Marsudi, Minister of Research Technology and Higher Education Mohamad Nasir, and Indonesian Ambassador to China Djauhari Oratmangun.

At the BRF I in May 2017, President Joko Widodo was present. The BRF II is currently represented by Jusuf Kalla. About 40 heads of state/government attended the biennial summit, including President Xi Jinping as the initiator of the Belt and Road. (ant)

 Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla held a bilateral meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Qishan in Beijing, Thursday afternoon, prior to paying an honorary visit to President Xi Jinping later in the day.

The visit was organized on the sidelines of the International Belt Road (BRF) II Cooperation Conference in Beijing on April 24-27, 2019.

On Thursday night, Kalla had planned to hold a meeting with several leaders of China-based firms.

The Belt and Road Forum (BRF) program will kick off tomorrow (Friday) with an opening ceremony, and an evening dinner also lined up.

However, during this time, the vice president will also hold a business forum for getting together Indonesian and Chinese businesspersons," Foreign Minister Retno L. P. Marsudi noted.

The BRF conference, with the peak event on Saturday (April 27), was divided into the three sessions of connectivity, policy synergy, and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

"The vice president will address the third session held in connection with SDGs," the foreign minister said.

At the biennial conference, the vice president will, in all likelihood, also bring up the topic of Indonesian palm oil exports to China.

Foreign Minister Marsudi and Chinese Customs Minister Ni Yue Feng inked a trade protocol for the import of mangosteen from Indonesia.

"We will continuously work towards boosting the export of the tropical fruit from Indonesia to China in order to reduce the trade deficit between both nations," he noted.

President Joko Widodo had attended the first BRF in May 2017.  (ant)

Another three science technoparks will be set up in Indonesia this year to add to the already existing 18 parks, a top official of the Ministry of Research, Technology, and Higher Education said.

"This year, there are three more science technoparks planned," Secretary General of the Ministry of Research, Technology, and Higher Education Ainun Naim told journalists here Thursday.

The government has targeted the setting up of 100 science technoparks and they have been added to a list of prioritized national programs.

However, the target could not be achieved because of several factors including the lack of scientists who are essential for the development of these technoparks, he said.

In an effort to end that deadlock the ministry collaborated with public universities and non-ministerial agencies, such as the National Nuclear Energy Agency (BATAN) and the Indonesian Institute of Sciencies (LIPI), because they have the scientists, Naim said.

"With this collaboration, science technoparks can be developed at public universities," he said, adding that the ministry has introduced a "Research and Innovation in Science and Technology Project" in 2013.

In developing the science technoparks in the country, this "Riset Pro" is designed to support the products made in the parks for use by the people.

For instance, an electric scooter produced by the Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS), will immediately be sold in the domestic market, he said.

One of the Riset Pro components is improving the framework of innovation-related policies and revitalizing research institutions in the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT), BATAN, LIPI, and the National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN), Naim said.

One of the science technoparks has been set up at the Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB), ANTARA noted. Known as the IPB Science Techno Park, it helps  the innovation in tropical agriculture, foods, and bio-science.(ant)

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, M Fachir, extends deepest sympathies and prayers to the victims of the bombings during Easter in Colombo, Sri Lanka at the 70th Anniv of relations between Indonesia (RI) and India. Teh country was among the earliest nations that recognised RI's independence. Both countries has collaborated in many initiatives: Asia-Africa Conference, Strategic Partnership&Comprehensive Partnership in 2018. RI and India set target of total trade USD 50 billion in 2025 . RI-India’s are members of G20, with a total GDP combined USD 3 trillion, and 1.3 billion combined populations. With great privilege, comes great responsibilities. RI-Indo both share the responsibility to promote peace amidst global uncertainty. (kemenlu twitter)