China and Indonesia, which have a long cultural relationship, will cooperate in heritage development and preservation, cultural ministers of the two countries said on Wednesday.

After meeting President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Indonesian Minister of Culture and Tourism Jero Wacik and his visiting Chinese counterpart Sun Jiazhen told a press conference that the relationship of the two countries was very strong and was supported by culture sector.

Minister Sun said that during the meeting with President Susilo it was decided that the two countries would further strengthen cultural cooperation under the framework of strategic partnership.

"Our two countries will enhance efforts in cooperation in the field of heritage preservation and development as part of economy, " he said.

Sun also said that the culture ministries of the two countries will join efforts to expand more channels and to increase cultural exchanges program in the future.

On his part, Wacik said the relations between Indonesia and China has been lasting for a long time, and the two countries could cooperate in cultural exhibitions and film production.

"In China there are big museums, and so are here. We can exchange the museum's collections and cooperate in producing film which have link with the cultural relations of Indonesia and China, " said Wacik.

(Xinhua News Agency June 28, 2007)