Indonesia and China on October 3 issued a joint statement at the end of the two-day state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the Southeast Asian nation, agreeing that it is the common responsibility of the countries in the region to maintain peace and stability in the East Sea.

Entitled “Future Direction of Indonesia-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership”, the joint statement emphasised that Indonesia, China and other ASEAN countries shall work together to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), enhance mutual trust, promote cooperation, and maintain peace and stability in the East Sea.

Later on the day, Xi left Jakarta for Kuala Lumpur for a state visit before heading back to the Indonesian island of Bali for an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum meeting.

While in Indonesia, the Chinese President and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono agreed to lift bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

In the Malaysia visit, the second stop of his Southeast Asian trip, Xi is scheduled to meet with King Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah and Prime Minister Najib Razak.-VNA