Peng meets with 1st lady of Indonesia

Peng Liyuan, the wife of President Xi Jinping, met on Tuesday with Iriana Joko Widodo, the wife of visiting Indonesian President Joko Widodo, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing.

Peng and Iriana Widodo recalled with pleasure their previous meetings. Peng said that China and Indonesia are important neighbors and the friendship between the peoples goes back to ancient times.

The two countries' relations have become increasingly closer in recent years, with people-to-people exchanges gaining robust momentum. Indonesia has become the second-largest destination country favored by Chinese tourists, she said.

Peng expressed her hope that bilateral communication and exchanges in several areas will be further deepened.

Iriana Widodo said that she was very pleased to see her longtime friend again in Beijing and appreciated the warm reception from Xi and Peng.

She said that more Chinese tourists are welcome to visit Indonesia and extended her best wishes to the long-standing friendship between China and Indonesia.

Peng and Iriana Widodo also enjoyed a traditional Chinese folk music performance.

The Indonesian first lady said she was touched by the Indonesian songs played by young Chinese artists and felt true friendship from her Chinese friends.

Peng said that music has no borders and can serve as a bridge of spiritual communication and friendship. She said she hopes that cultural exchanges and mutual learning can play a bigger role in strengthening China-Indonesia friendship, as the two countries share similar cultures.