Jakarta, January 18th—Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, met here today with Yahya Cholil Staquf, General Chairman of the Indonesian Nahdlatul Ulama at the headquarters of the Nahdlatul Ulama.

Liu expressed that in recent years, China-Indonesia relations have maintained positive development momentum. China is willing to work with Indonesia to earnestly implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state, and strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, so as to achieve common development. The Nahdlatul Ulama plays an important role in Indonesia’s national construction and social development, and has also made positive contributions to enhancing exchanges and cooperation between Muslim communities of China and Indonesia. China is willing to intensify people-to-people and cultural exchanges with Indonesia, deepen exchanges and mutual learning between Chinese civilization and Islamic civilization, and enhance mutual understanding and affinity between the two peoples.

Liu stated that China is a country where multiple religions coexist. All religions coexist in harmony, and people of all ethnic groups enjoy full freedom of religious belief in accordance with the law. There are approximately 30 million Muslims in China, and Islam has been developed and carried on in a sound manner in China. China opposes associating terrorism and extremism to specific ethnic groups or religions.

Yahya said that the comprehensive cooperation between China and Indonesia in various fields has benefited the Indonesian people. Indonesia hopes to strengthen people-to-people and cultural cooperation with China, especially cooperation in education, intensify exchanges in religion, and promote practical cooperation. The Nahdlatul Ulama adheres to the principle of non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs and opposes terrorism and extremism. In today’s world with continuous wars and disputes, solution to problems lies in upholding the international consensus based on the UN Charter. Under the new circumstances, the Bandung Spirit should be carried forward to promote harmonious co-existence among countries.

The two sides also exchanged views on the Middle East situation.