Beijing, September 18th--Zhao Shitong, Assistant-minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, met here today with a joint business delegation from South Asia and Southeast Asia headed by Izhari Mawardi, director of the finance and capital market department of the Golkar Party of Indonesia.

Zhao said that China and countries in South Asia and Southeast Asia are very close to each other in terms of geographical location, ancestral ties and cultural background. It is in the common interests of all parties to work together to strengthen practical cooperation and promote the Belt and Road cooperation. The Chinese side is willing to use the "political party + practical cooperation" platform to help Chinese local governments and enterprises deepen exchanges and cooperation at all levels and in various fields with the business circles of South Asia and Southeast Asia, and share new opportunities brought by China's new development.

Mawardi and others expressed that they look forward to deepening exchanges and cooperation with the Chinese side, promoting regional connectivity and mutual benefit, and continuing to promote the Belt and Road cooperation for common development.

Nearly 20 representatives of economic departments of political parties, business associations and entrepreneurs from Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam attended the meeting.

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