RI VICE PRESIDENT ARRIVES IN BEIJING

Beijing, Aug 23 (ANTARA) - Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla and his entourage arrived here Friday night to attend the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games on Sunday.

When still in Jakarta, Kalla told reporters before emplaning at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport on Friday morning, he would be representing President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono who also could not attend the Olympic Games opening ceremony last August 8.

"I will be representing President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to attend the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games because the event is very important as we have good relations with China," the vice president said.

Meanwhile, Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu, who was in the vice president's retinue, said Kalla would meet with Chinese President Hu Jintao and watch the final football match in the Olympic Games on Saturday at the Bird's Nest Stadium.

"The vice president will also meet with other Chinese leaders and a number of local businessmen," Pangestu said.

She said the good bilateral relations between Indonesia and China so far would continue to be maintained and improved.

Trade relations between the two countries were in fact growing rapidly as an increasing number of Chinese businessmen were investing in Indonesia, she said.

"I also plan to meet Chinese Trade Minister Chen Deming to discuss various regional and multilateral issues, including the Doha Round which met a deadlock recently," Pangestu said.

Vice President Kalla would be in China three days and return home on August 25, 2008.

Also accompanying Kalla on his China visit is Azumardi Azra, deputy for people's welfare affairs to the vice president's secretary.