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)