Indonesian Sports and Youth Minister Imam Nachrawi on Wednesday welcomed 100 young Chinese who will visit several cities in Indonesia as part of a youth exchange program between the two countries.

"On behalf of the Indonesian government I welcome you all here. This is a proof that relations between Indonesia and China is very close," the minister said in his welcome remarks.

"I hope the delegation conduct experience sharing in various areas with their Indonesian partners through this program. Indonesia has an extraordinary cultures that you can learn from," the minister said.

Tracing back the history of relations between the two nations, the minister said that rulers and people of Indonesian old kingdoms had intense communications with their Chinese counterparts thousands of years ago.

At that time Indonesia facilitated trade with Chinese merchants for Indian and Arabian markets, he added.

The delegation composed of 100 Chinese youths was scheduled to visit cultural heritages in Jakarta, Palembang and Batam on May 10-18.