By Tan Xingyu, Wang Jiping

China-Indonesia Exchanges See Further Upgrade

By Tan Xingyu, Wang Jiping

China-Indonesia Research Center for People-to-People Exchanges launched in Beijing

A ceremony was held for the official launch of China-Indonesia Research Center for People-to-People Exchanges at Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) on March 22, aimed at strengthening the existing Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.

Soegeng Rahaidjo, the Indonesian ambassador to China, said that both China and Indonesia have long histories and profound cultural traditions, as well as outstanding scientific and technological achievements and advanced concepts. Therefore, the two countries should learn from each other and strengthen interaction, Rahaidjo said.

Yu Jihai, deputy director-general of the Ministry of Education’s Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges, said that in recent years, China and Indonesia have attached great importance to cultural and peopleto-people exchanges and conducted frequent and close cooperation. Among such cooperation, the Peopleto-People Exchange Mechanism at the Coordinating Minister-Vice Prime Ministerial Level between China and Indonesia is the first high-level peopleto-people exchange mechanism established between China and a developing country, which is not only a milestone in the history of cultural and people-to-people exchange between China and Indonesia, but is also set to play an exemplary role in people-topeople and cultural exchanges between China and other ASEAN member states.

Xu Ningning, executive president of the China-ASEAN Business Council, said that the establishment of the research center falls at an appropriate time, in line with the needs of cultural and people-to-people exchange between the two countries. “The research center should play the role of a nongovernmental organization such as the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce in China and the China-Indonesia Friendship Association, and should take the characteristics of cultural and people-to-people exchange into consideration,” Xu said.

BFSU President Peng Long said that the establishment of the research center is an important milestone for BFSU, and the top priority of the research center is to of f er consulting services to governments in their decision making.