Indonesia reaffirms 'one-China' policy<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas confirmed
\nyesterday that he had met with Taiwan Foreign Minister John
\nChang, both in their private rather than official capacities.<\/p>\n
Alatas however reiterated Indonesia's commitment to its "one-
\nChina" policy.<\/p>\n
"We remain consistent in our policy of recognizing only the
\nPeople's Republic of China and its government," he told
\nreporters.<\/p>\n
"Mr. John Chang was here yesterday in his individual capacity
\non a private visit," he said.<\/p>\n
"That is a normal thing. He was not invited.<\/p>\n
"During his visit, he asked to meet with me. I agreed on
\ncondition that it was in a private, personal capacity," Alatas
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Alatas emphasized that he had met Chang not as Indonesian
\nforeign minister, but as "Ali Alatas".<\/p>\n
"And he did the same. The term `Taiwan minister' doesn't exist
\nin the Indonesian dictionary," he said, adding that the meeting
\ntook place outside his office.<\/p>\n
Alatas declined to disclose the contents of their meeting.<\/p>\n
Informed sources have earlier said that Chang also met with
\nState Minister of Research and Technology B.J. Habibie on
\nWednesday.<\/p>\n
Chang returned to Taipei yesterday but declined to tell
\nreporters who he met in Indonesia, Reuters reported.<\/p>\n
"I have met people I wanted to meet," he said on his arrival
\nat the airport. He did not elaborate.<\/p>\n
In spite of the absence of diplomatic ties, Taiwan has become
\none of Indonesia's main trading partners as well as an important
\nsource of private investment.<\/p>\n
Beijing, which considers Taiwan as a renegade province, has
\nbeen quick to denounce any sign that relations between Indonesia
\nand Taiwan would move beyond just business.<\/p>\n
In 1994, it protested at a meeting between Taiwan President
\nLee Teng-hui and Indonesia's President Soeharto which took place
\nwhen both leaders were "on holiday" in the resort island of Bali.
\n(emb)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indonesia-reaffirms-one-china-policy-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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