Vice premier starts visits to Indonesia, Egypt, Kuwait

(Xinhuas)
Updated: 2008-12-20 13:57

Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang left Beijing Saturday morning, starting his official visits to Indonesia, Egypt and Kuwait.

The 11-day tour was Li's first overseas trip since he took office as vice premier in March.

Among his entourages were senior foreign affairs, development, commercial and banking officials.

Li made the visit at the invitations of Indonesian Vice President Yusuf Kalla, Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Mahmoud Mohamed Nazef and Kuwaiti First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.

Visit to improve China-Indonesia ties

Li's visit to Indonesia is expected to improve the relations between the two countries, the national Antara News Agency on Saturday quoted an Indonesian official as saying.

"We appreciate very much his visit to Indonesia after we saw his portfolio as a Southeast Asian partner and we are expecting good results," Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman Teuku Faizasyah said here on Friday.

"Hopefully, this cooperation would be promising especially in the current free trade," said the spokesman.

Li is scheduled visit to Indonesia from Saturday to Tuesday. During his visit, the Vice Premier will attend the Third China-Indonesia Energy Forum and meet Indonesian government leaders.