ANKARA

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his visiting Indonesian counterpart Prabowo Subianto on Saturday vowed to further strengthen bilateral ties.

Prabowo, 73, began his three-day state visit to China on Friday, which marked his first overseas trip since being inaugurated as president last month.

"China is ready to work with Indonesia to write a new chapter of major developing countries seeking strength through unity and working in solidarity for shared benefits,” Xi told Prabowo, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Paying a first state visit to China after Prabowo’s inauguration demonstrates the importance the Indonesian leader attaches to developing ties with Beijing and the strategic nature of China-Indonesia relations, Xi added.

"It is necessary to further improve the layout of strategic cooperation and build cooperation in the 'five pillars' of politics, economy, culture, maritime and security," he said, underlining the importance of adhering to the high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Prabowo, for his part, said that under the current complex international situation, Indonesia hopes to further strengthen all-round strategic cooperation with China, become a closer comprehensive strategic partner, and build a community of shared future with regional and global influence.

The state visit to China is part of Prabowo’s two-week, multi-nation tour which includes stops in the US, Brazil, and Peru.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid