President Hu Jintao (L) and Indonesia’s President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono shake hands after they sign agreements establishing a "strategic partnership" between the two Asian countries at the presidential palace in Jakarta April 25, 2005. (Reuters)

　　China and Indonesia - the largest country in Southeast Asia - signed a joint declaration for a "strategic partnership" yesterday, signalling a new determination on both sides to further consolidate bilateral ties.

　　At a meeting in the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, visiting President Hu Jintao and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono also witnessed the signing of another eight accords aimed at advancing Sino-Indonesian partnership.

　　Visa exemption for diplomatic and service visits, maritime co-operation, infrastructure and natural resources, economic and technological assistance, finance, preferential buyer’s credit, and earthquake and tsunami-relief are the main contents of the eight agreements.

　　Hu is currently spending two days in Indonesia on a state visit after attending the Asian-African Summit and celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Bandung Conference.

　　He will fly to the Philippines later today, the last leg of his tour of three Southeast Asian nations, including Brunei.

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