VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesia’s men’s double pair Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo/Marcus Fernaldi Gideon came out as the champion at Hong Kong Badminton Open 2018 on Sunday after beating Takeshi Kamura/Kegio Sonoda from Japan 21-13, 21-12.

Playing with strong smashes and strong defense Kevin and Marcus made their Japanese opponents unable to develop their play and finished the first game in their favor 21-13.

In the second game they maintained their tactic with Marcus launching smashes from the back while Kevin was always ready stopping the shuttlecock that came to put over the net softly.

They did not take long to win the game 21-12.

Kevin and Marcus went to the final round after defeating their fellow countrymen - Hendra Setiawan/Mohammaf Ahsan in the semifinal round 21-14, 18-21, 21-9.

Kamura and Sonoda proceeded to the final round after beating Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian from Indonesia 24-22, 21-15 in the semifinal round. (ANTARA)

President Joko Widodo met with the President of the People`s Republic of China (PRC) Xi Jinping and discussed trade to the digital economy in a bilateral meeting held on the sidelines of the APEC Summit.

The Deputy of Protocol, Press and Media of the Presidential Secretariat, Bey Machmudin, in a statement received in Jakarta on Saturday, said that the meeting was held at the Stanley Hotel, Port Moresby, Saturday evening.

Starting the meeting, President Jokowi congratulated President Xi Jinping for the success of the PRC in holding an international export exhibition in Shanghai which took place recently.

"I would like to congratulate you on the holding of The 1st China International Import Export Expo in Shanghai recently, where Indonesia became the `Country of Honor`," said President Jokowi.

In addition, President Jokowi also appreciated the PRC for expressing sympathy and cooperation given in handling natural disasters in Lombok and Central Sulawesi.

The two heads of state then discussed several matters related to the relations between the two countries. In the trade sector, the President hopes that the two countries can work together to overcome the Indonesia-China trade deficit through various means.

These methods include the ease of export of tropical fruit from Indonesia to China, such as fresh pineapple, dragon fruit, avocado, rambutan, mango, banana and durian.

"The ease of import of swallow nests from Indonesia," he continued.

The President also hopes for the sustainability of palm oil exports and derivative products, including cooperation in developing biodiesel such as B5, B20 biofuels and replanting oil palm.

In addition, President Jokowi wants China to not apply a quota or anti-dumping for Indonesian manufactured products such as steel.

"I also hope that His Majesty can encourage Chinese tourists to visit Indonesia, especially to Bali and 10 new Bali," he added.

The two Heads of State also discussed cooperation in the investment sector, including to develop industry 4.0.

In this bilateral meeting, the President was accompanied by Maritime Affairs Coordinating Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Minister of State Pratikno. (ANTARA)

Belgium has shared a vision with Indonesia on promoting tolerance values and international cooperation amid the emergence of extremist movements.

The two countries will jointly carry out their duties as non-permanent members of the UN Security Council (UN SC) for the 2019-2020 period.

"Indonesia and Belgium have a different history, but we both learn from the past that conflict resolution and international cooperation are very important," Belgian Ambassador to Indonesia Stephane De Loecker said at the commemoration of the King`s Day at her residence in Jakartta Thursday night.

On that occasion, Ambassador Loecker emphasized the importance of Belgium and Indonesia collaboration to promote religious freedom and tolerance, and play an active role in fighting all forms of extremism.

European countries including Belgium face a wave of narrow nationalism and populism that remind them of the Dark Age in Europe in the early 20th century.

"Therefore, together with the European Union member countries, we continue to maintain the concept of an open and tolerant society, like Indonesia in defending Pancasila," Ambassador Loecker said.

Pancasila which literally means the five pillars is the official and foundational philosophy of Indonesia.

In addition to having roles in the UNSC, Indonesia and Belgium will welcome the 70 years of diplomatic relations in 2019.

Towards the commemoration, the two countries have shown good cooperation, marked by the visit of Princess Astrid, King Philippe`s sister, along with the Belgian business delegation to Indonesia in 2016. Meanwhile, in 2017 Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla visited the Europalia Arts Festival in Belgium.

In the economic field, the governments of the two countries continue to encourage businesses to explore the potentials for cooperation.

This effort will continue to be enhanced, especially after the signing of the Indonesia and European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which is expected to bring more benefits to both countries. (ANTARA)

The Japanese and Indonesian governments have agreed to develop disaster mitigation cooperation following humanitarian aid and disaster mitigation programs in the wake of a powerful earthquake and tsunami in Central Sulawesi Province.

Disaster mitigation is one of the topics discussed by Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during a meeting on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Singapore Thursday.

A press statement from the Japanese Embassy stated that Abe expressed his wish to work with Indonesia in rehabilitating and reconstructing areas affected by the earthquakes as well as in increasing Indonesia’s resilience to disasters.

Japan has been working with Indonesia to rehabilitate and reconstruct the affected areas in Central Sulawesi.

During the emergency response period, Japan provided two C-130H Hercules aircraft and 63 personnel of the self-defense forces to assist the Japanese disaster relief team in transporting supplies and evacuating victims.

Japan has collaborated with the Indonesian Air Force in carrying out 21 flights and transporting at least 200 tons of aid and 400 people.

In addition to providing a number of emergency supplies, such as tents, generators and water purifiers, over 110 Japanese companies have provided funds worth more than Rp26.5 billion (about US$ 1,808,042), and supplied fuel.

The ASEAN Coordinating Center for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Center) supported by Japan has conducted a survey to determine needs at the disaster site and make coordination with related sides in delivering international assistance.

A number of experts who took part in joint Japanese-Indonesian missions have visited Central Sulawesi. Their evaluation and findings are valuable to support rehabilitation and reconstruction programs in the affected areass.

Japan and Indonesia are formulating a master plan for rehabilitation and reconstruction by referring to the Regional Disaster Risk Resilience Plan in Central Sulawesi.

Japan will collaborate with Indonesia to conduct a follow-up survey to evaluate liquefaction risks in Central Sulawesi which is an important base for future spatial plans.

Japan will continue to work with Indonesia to minimize damages caused by earthquakes and tsunamis throughout the country.

Through Equipment Improvement for Disaster Risk Management Project worth Rp202.5 billion (about US $ 13,816,170), Japan will help install broadband seismographs, strong movement seismographs and other supporting equipment in 93 points in Indonesia which are prone to earthquake and tsunami.

Japan will also support the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) to strengthen its capacity in collecting data and analyzing disaster risk information, and use it to formulate local disaster risk reduction plans.

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will work with relevant institutions which are responsible for reducing disaster risks and make reconstruction, such as the Ministry of Public Works and Housing. (ANTARA)