Indonesia relying on Beijing-led bank

Indonesia is counting on the Beijing-proposed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank to ease funding of an ambitious plan to connect each island of the archipelago, according to a senior official.

Suryo Bambang Sulisto, president of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said at the Indonesia-China Economic Cooperation Forum in Beijing on Friday that his country has applied to join Beijing's new bank as a founding member to secure easier funds for the country's plans to build airports, railways, power plants and other facilities to promote local connectivity.

President Joko Widodo, on his first official visit to China since taking office, explained to Chinese investors his ambitious plans to build special economic zones and promote transportation in the Southeast Asian country.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said the government encourages Chinese enterprises, State-owned or private, to invest in Indonesia, where the large population of more than 200 million ensures a huge market.

According to a joint statement after Widodo met Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday, the countries agreed to strengthen strategy and policy communication, advance maritime infrastructure connectivity, deepen cooperation in industrial investment and major project construction and enhance practical cooperation to develop a "maritime partnership".