On 3 June, H.E. Xie Feng, China’s new Ambassador to Indonesia, and his wife arrived in Jakarta. They were welcomed by Mr. Bimo, Deputy Director for Protocol of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Yang Xiuping, Chinese Ambassador to ASEAN, and Mr. Liu Hongyang, Minister Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Indonesia at the airport.

In his remarks to the press at the airport, Ambassador Xie first extended warm greetings to everyone in Bahasa and expressed a word of thanks to the crew of Garuda Indonesia for giving his wife and him a wonderful foretaste of Indonesia’s gracious hospitality. He said he and his wife’s connections to Indonesia started long ago. During their student age, popular folk songs such as Bengawan Solo and Sing Sing So always inspired their imagination about Indonesia, the Emerald of the Equator. And as Director-General for North American and Oceanian Affairs of the Foreign Ministry, he had the opportunity of visiting Bali on three occasions over the past three years, and was deeply impressed by the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the island.

Ambassador Xie said, as an ancient Asian civilization and a vibrant emerging economy, Indonesia is playing an increasingly important role in regional and global affairs. Thanks to the guidance of Chinese and Indonesian top leaders and the joint efforts of all communities, the bilateral relationship has moved into a new era of comprehensive strategic partnership. Now, a window of opportunity is opening for making new history for this relationship. He wishes to develop a deep understanding of Indonesia’s history, culture, tradition, development story and remarkable changes, and build strong working relations and deep friendship with all communities in the Indonesian society. He looks forward to working with the Indonesian side to strengthen the China-Indonesia comprehensive strategic partnership, improve the life quality of the two peoples, and contribute to a more peaceful, stable and prosperous Asia-Pacific region.

Also present at the welcoming event were Counsellor Tian Ling, Counsellor Shao Yiwu, Counsellor Liu Yufei and Counsellor Shen Minjuan from the Chinese Embassy, as well as Chairperson Bondan Gunawan of PPIT, representatives of the Chinese communities in Indonesia including Mr. Abdul Alek Soelystio, Mr. Rusli Gunawan and Mr. Susanto Sjahir, and Mr. Liu Haosheng, Chairman of China Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia.

Mr. Xie Feng, born in April 1964, graduated from China Foreign Affairs University. Earlier in his diplomatic career, he served in a number of positions, including as Attaché of West European Affairs Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Third Secretary of the Chinese Embassy in Malta, Deputy Director and Director of North American and Oceanian Affairs Department, MFA, Counsellor and Spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in the US, and Counsellor and Deputy Director-General of North American and Oceanian Affairs Department, MFA. In 2008, he took the position of Minister and DCM of the Chinese Embassy in the US. He became Director-General of the Department of North American and Oceanian Affairs, MFA in 2010. Earlier this year, he was appointed China’s 11th Ambassador to Indonesia.