TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo met with the President of the People`s Republic of China (PRC) Xi Jinping and discussed trade to the digital economy in a bilateral meeting held on the sidelines of the APEC Summit.

The Deputy of Protocol, Press and Media of the Presidential Secretariat, Bey Machmudin, in a statement received in Jakarta on Saturday, said that the meeting was held at the Stanley Hotel, Port Moresby, Saturday evening.

Starting the meeting, President Jokowi congratulated President Xi Jinping for the success of the PRC in holding an international export exhibition in Shanghai which took place recently.

"I would like to congratulate you on the holding of The 1st China International Import Export Expo in Shanghai recently, where Indonesia became the `Country of Honor`," said President Jokowi.

In addition, President Jokowi also appreciated the PRC for expressing sympathy and cooperation given in handling natural disasters in Lombok and Central Sulawesi.

The two heads of state then discussed several matters related to the relations between the two countries. In the trade sector, the President hopes that the two countries can work together to overcome the Indonesia-China trade deficit through various means.

These methods include the ease of export of tropical fruit from Indonesia to China, such as fresh pineapple, dragon fruit, avocado, rambutan, mango, banana and durian.

"The ease of import of swallow nests from Indonesia," he continued.

The President also hopes for the sustainability of palm oil exports and derivative products, including cooperation in developing biodiesel such as B5, B20 biofuels and replanting oil palm.

In addition, President Jokowi wants China to not apply a quota or anti-dumping for Indonesian manufactured products such as steel.

"I also hope that His Majesty can encourage Chinese tourists to visit Indonesia, especially to Bali and 10 new Bali," he added.

The two Heads of State also discussed cooperation in the investment sector, including to develop industry 4.0.

In this bilateral meeting, the President was accompanied by Maritime Affairs Coordinating Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Minister of State Pratikno.

ANTARA