Indonesia, China making concrete efforts for mutual benefits: papers

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's current visit to China will sharpen the focus on bilateral ties to more concrete actions for mutual benefits, local newspapers said Monday.

Indonesia, which began to revitalize economic ties with China only in the 1980s, is relatively late compared with other countries in exploring opportunities from the rapid growth in China.

But Susilo's visit may result in at least the flow of 8 billion U.S. dollars in mining and energy investments in West Java, South Sumatra and South Sulawesi, evening newspaper Sinar Harapan said in its editorial.

"Taking a look at the enthusiasm of the government and businesspeople who will join the third China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning starting Tuesday, there is a hope that bilateral trade and investment will continue to grow," it said, noting that hundreds of businesspeople have chartered planes to attend the exhibition.

"Both countries share common interests in various areas. The main issue is how to manage the interests in such a way that they can produce the maximum benefits," said the Jakarta-based daily.

Most influential newspaper Kompas said Susilo's four-day trip to China is also intended to explore new opportunities in bilateral economic cooperation.

"Not only is China interested in the energy sector, it also eyes investment in mining, mineral sector and infrastructure."

"The biggest challenge always lies in the implementation. It remains to be seen whether Indonesia is prepared to accommodate the investments (from China)," said the country's biggest newspaper.

Source: Xinhua