Visa-free policy expected to attract more tourists from China for people-to-people exchanges

China welcomes Indonesia to "share the fruits" of the Maritime Silk Road, the Chinese ambassador to Indonesia said as President Xi Jinping arrived on Tuesday for his second visit to the archipelago within one and a half years.

Xie Feng, China's ambassador to Indonesia, said Beijing appreciates Jakarta's commitment to join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank as a founding member.

"And we are also happy to see Indonesia's application to adopt policy and financial support under the One Belt, One Road strategy," he said, noting China's 21st Maritime Silk Road initiative complements Indonesian President Joko Widodo's "maritime axis" ambition and his plans to build ocean highways.

Xie said both countries could make future efforts to step up collaboration in infrastructure, marine economy, industrial parks and agriculture.

Sitting between the Pacific and Indian oceans, connecting Asia and Oceania, Indonesia plays a strategically vital role and is a hub on the Maritime Silk Road.

Its population, landmass and GDP account for more than 40 percent of ASEAN, making it an exceptionally significant market and investment destination for China.

The archipelago is also the only Southeast Asian member of the G20 and China's largest neighbor to the southeast.

60th anniversary

Xi arrived in Jakarta on Tuesday night after wrapping up a two-day state visit to Pakistan. He will attend the Asian-African Conference Commemorations 2015 to mark the 60th anniversary of the Bandung Conference, which promoted Asian-African cooperation.

He also will meet with his Indonesian counterpart for the third time.

"Such frequent interactions between the two state leaders mark the development of high-level bilateral ties," Xie said.

Both nations are developing countries and important emerging economies that face similar development tasks so cooperation is natural, Xie said.

"Looking to the future, the countries see hugely promising bilateral cooperation," he added.

Trade between China and Indonesia totaled $63.5 billion last year. China's direct investment in Indonesia, excluding the financial sectors, reached $1.05 billion, ranking second among ASEAN countries.

China's total direct investment in Indonesia grew 37.6 percent annually last year to $3.84 billion.

More than 1,000 Chinese companies now invest in Indonesia in sectors including energy, agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure and finance.

The countries issued a declaration on deepening ties and signed eight agreements, including agreements on the building of infrastructure in the archipelago, during Widodo's visit to Beijing last month.

A memorandum of understanding on greater cooperation in infrastructure and industry building was signed, along with another on building a high-speed railway linking the Indonesian capital of Jakarta and Bandung, about 180 km southeast of the capital.

Other areas include maritime search, taxation, airspace and cooperation between Chinese and Indonesian enterprises.

Important role

Xie said the countries' efforts to build the Maritime Silk Road will "set an important role model for the whole of Southeast Asia".

"We welcome Indonesia to discuss, construct and share the fruits of the Maritime Silk Road," he added.

Xie also said Indonesia's recent announcement of a visa-free policy to attract more tourists from China would promote people-to-people exchanges, which "have flourished to reach historic highs since the countries established a strategic partnership in 2005".

More than 1 million Chinese tourists visited Indonesia last year, according to the country's statistics. In a bid to attract even more Chinese tourists, the Indonesian government has launched the Zheng He Road Tour program.

The China National Tourism Administration will host major campaigns in Indonesia and other Southeast Asian countries under the theme of constructing the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, according to the ambassador.

"Such measures are expected to boost reciprocal visits and the tourist industries of both countries," Xie said.

zhanghaizhou@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily USA 04/22/2015 page3)