Indonesian and Chinese film makers will jointly produce a movie that is eventually to pave the way for further cooperation, Indonesia's Foreign Ministry said on Friday.

The movie was expected to be screened in both countries in the second half next year on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of Indonesia-China diplomatic relations.

Production of the movie would be jointly carried out by Indonesia's state-run Produksi Film Negara (PFN) and China's Chongqing-based Ocean Century Pictures (OCP).

Indonesian Ambassador to China Soegeng Rahardjo expected the movie to be the cornerstone of further cooperation between movie producers from both countries.

"Increasing cooperation in film making would spur closer relations of people between Indonesia and China. You cannot like anything until you know it," Soegeng said at a signing ceremony of the movie co-production on Tuesday.

By strengthening people-to-people contact through movies, he said it would be easier to explore further cooperation in sectors like trade, investment and tourism.

The movie, "55 Times," would be a comedy. The shooting would be conducted in Indonesia's resort island of Bali from January to February next year, involving actors and actresses from both countries.