Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto to discuss opportunities to boost trade and investment amid the US-led global trade war and emerging challenges to economic globalization.
Mr Lee arrived in the Indonesian capital Jakarta on Saturday afternoon for a three-day visit to Southeast Asia's largest economy, the first leg of his first overseas trip this year.
Indonesia and China are members of the Group of 20 major developing and emerging market economies, as well as BRICS.
Mr Li invited 60 prominent Chinese entrepreneurs to speak at the Indonesia-China Business Reception on Saturday evening. In his speech, he stressed that China's economy has grown rapidly this year despite mounting external challenges.
“The current international environment is complex,” Mr Lee said at the event, which was also attended by Mr Subianto. “Unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise, and bullying is on the rise.”
Mr Lee noted that this year marks the 70th anniversary of the Non-Aligned Movement, which was initiated by Asian and African countries in the Indonesian city of Bandung when the world was at a historic crossroads more than seven decades ago.
He stressed that the spirit of solidarity, friendship and cooperation inherent in Bandung played a key role in uniting and cooperating countries of the Global South.
“More than seven decades later, the world again finds itself at a major crossroads,” he said.
Li Qiang called on all countries to seek common interests by resolving differences through dialogue and peaceful coexistence.
Mr Subianto expressed appreciation to the Chinese government and its companies for their involvement in the country's economy, creating jobs, transferring technology and building trust among all businesses, especially at home.
He also called on Chinese businessmen to increase their investment in Indonesia. Bilateral trade last year exceeded US$147.8 billion, up 6.1%.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
