Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, said China and Indonesia enjoy cultural affinity and close people-to-people bonds, expressing the hope that the two sides will enhance their friendship.

Peng made the remarks during her meeting with Indonesian first lady Iriana Joko Widodo on Thursday in Chengdu, the capital city of southwest China's Sichuan Province.

Iriana is accompanying Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who will attend the opening ceremony of the 31st summer edition of the FISU World University Games and visit China.

Peng and Iriana appreciated the exquisite local handicrafts of intangible cultural heritage in Sichuan, including Shu embroidery. Shu embroidery was officially included in the first batch of the national intangible cultural heritage list in 2006. As one of the most famous varieties of embroidery in China, it was on the list of state gifts when Peng visited Tanzania in 2013.

Iriana spoke highly of China's protection and inheritance of intangible cultural heritage, saying that the visit to Chengdu has further deepened her understanding and love of Chinese history and culture.

China now has 43 items on the intangible cultural heritage list of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), continuing to be the most enlisted country in the world.

Recalling their previous meetings, Peng and Iriana have been continuously promoting cultural exchanges between China and Indonesia.

Last November, they met in Bali, Indonesia, during the G20 summit. Accompanied by Iriana, Peng watched a performance of Indonesian traditional culture and art, as well as a craft product exhibition. Peng hailed the handmade silk fabrics with Bali characteristics as exquisite.

Peng spoke highly of Iriana's enthusiasm for public welfare and briefed her about China's active policies and achievements in the treatment and prevention of tuberculosis (TB) and HIV/AIDS, saying she hopes that the two countries will strengthen exchanges in public welfare and jointly promote people's livelihood and well-being.

Peng has been serving as the World Health Organization's (WHO) goodwill ambassador for TB and HIV/AIDS since June 2011. She has long advocated for global efforts in fighting against the diseases.

In a written speech for World TB Day 2023, organized by the WHO on March 22, Peng said that since her participation in the TB prevention and treatment endeavor began over a decade ago, she has witnessed the steady progress in this field in China, as well as the growth of the volunteer team in the country. She called on all parties to jointly improve global TB prevention and treatment.

As leader of the Family Welfare Education organization in Indonesia, Iriana has spent her time promoting women's empowerment and family welfare initiatives.

During Iriana's visit last July, Peng warmly welcomed Iriana at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing. They watched musical performances by students and teachers of the China Conservatory of Music. Iriana said that she was deeply touched to hear the young Chinese artists play Indonesian music.

Peng said that music knows no borders, links hearts and passes on friendship. She expressed the hope that cultural exchanges will play a greater role in enhancing the friendship between the two countries.