President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono hopes for maintenance of US-China relations

Antara News, Tuesday, November 9, 2010 22:39 WIB | International

U.S. President Barack Obama shakes hands with Indonesia's President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono alongside first ladies Michelle Obama (L) and Kristiani Herawati at an arrival ceremony at Istana Merdeka in Jakarta, November 9, 2010. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Jakarta (ANTARA News) -- President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono hoped for continued close normal relations between China and the United States amidst the current world economic situation.

"Any bad reaction by the two countries will have far-reaching effects," the President said in a joint press conference with his American counterpart Barack Obama after a bilaterial meeting at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta Tuesday.

President Yudhoyono hoped US-China economic relations remain smooth in the current geopolitical developments and the two countries also hoped to contribute to the East Asia region currently involving the US in the East Asia Summit (EAS) forum involving ten Southeast Asian countries, Japan, China, South Korea, Russia and the US.

With the EAS forum, President Yudhoyono expressed conviction in the dynamic balance in the East Asian region.

"I believe it would be more effective to maintain peace, stability, and order with this condition. Economic cooperation will also go smooth," he said.

In the joint press conference, President Obama raised the US-China relations problem which had been heated in the alleged currency and trade war.

Obama said his government was happy with China`s increased welfare and supported the development of China as it may free many people from poverty.

But Obama also said that progress in the development of China needs to be laid in an international framework.

"We have an international mechanism, we have a right and responsibility to make it work," Obama said.

U.S. President Barack Obama shakes hands with Indonesia's President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at Istana Merdeka in Jakarta November 9, 2010. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

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