JAKARTA — Indonesian President Joko Widodo met with visiting Chinese Vice-Premier Liu Yandong on May 27, and the leaders vowed to promote the people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

Liu said that she is here for the first meeting of the cultural and people-to-people exchanges mechanism (PEM) between China and Indonesia at the vice premier’s level and to implement the consensus reached by Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Joko Widodo.

“The PEM meeting will strengthen the bilateral cooperation on education, science, culture, health, media, youth and others and promote the cultural and people-to-people exchange in all fields,” Liu said.

Liu hoped the cultural and people-to-people exchanges will further boost the China-Indonesia relations and promote the regional cooperation.

The PEM between China and Indonesia at the vice premier’s level is the first such high level mechanism between China and a developing country.

Liu stated that China attaches great importance to the status and influence of Indonesia in ASEAN and is willing to dovetail China’s “21st century maritime silk road” initiative with Indonesia’s vision of “world maritime axis.”

“China is ready to coordinate with Indonesia on international issues and promoting the development of China-Indonesia comprehensive strategic partnership as well as building the China- ASEAN community of common destiny,” Liu concluded.

President Widodo said that China is Indonesia’s strategic partner, adding he hoped the consensus reached with the leaders of the two countries could be implemented as soon as possible so as to benefit the two peoples.

“I hope the ministries and departments of the two countries could intensify communication, deepen cooperation on maritime, economy and trade, high speed train, tourism, among others, “ Widodo said.

Liu arrived in Jakarta on May 26 at the invitation of Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Puan Maharani. During her six-day visit, Liu is also expected to attend the cultural and people-to-people events in Indonesia’s cities of Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Bandung and Bali.