RI President Meets NPC Chief

Beijing (Antara) - Indonesian President Joko Widodo here on Friday visited the National People\'s Congress (NPC) and was received by NPC Chief Zhang Dejiang at the reception room of the Great Hall of the People. During the meeting, Zhang Dejiang stated that Beijing did laud President Joko Widodo for his serious efforts to strengthen relations between the two countries. Indonesia views its relationship with China as important since it has a positive impact on the strategic and comprehensive partnership between two countries, he noted. China considers President Joko Widodo\'s visit to Beijing as an important event, he noted. \"Please send my best regards to the House of Representatives (DPR) Speaker Setya Novanto, and we are waiting for his visit to China,\" he said. The head of state, accompanied by First Lady Iriana and several cabinet members, arrived in Beijing, on Wednesday evening, following his trip to Japan that commenced on March 22. During his two-day state visit to Beijing, the president met China\'s President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Li Keqiang and attended a business forum. President Joko Widodo informed NPC Chief Zhang Dejiang that this was his second visit to Beijing, which is testament to Indonesia\'s sound and close relations with China. \"Please allow me to congratulate and pray for the success of the NPC. The success cannot be separated from the fruit of His Excellency President Xi Jinping\'s leadership,\" he affirmed.(*)