RI mulls purchase of Chinese subs<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia is considering purchasing Chinese-made
\nsubmarines in the near future.<\/p>\n
The chairman of the Indonesia-China Economic and Sociocultural
\nAssociation, Sukamdani Sahid Gitosarjono, told journalists after
\naccompanying visiting Vice Chairman of the People's Republic of
\nChina Congress Wang Guang Ying to a meeting with President
\nAbdurrahman Wahid on Friday, that the idea had been proposed by
\nthe President.<\/p>\n
Sukamdani said the President realized the capability of the
\ncountry's Navy was still far below the necessary requirements.<\/p>\n
\"Gus Dur said the Indonesian Navy is considering purchasing
\nChinese-made ships such as submarines,\" Sukamdani said, referring
\nto the President by his nickname.<\/p>\n
He offered no details on the type or number of vessels
\nIndonesia was considering purchasing.<\/p>\n
Sukamdani merely said that Chinese-made vessels were equipped
\nwith the necessary sophisticated hardware, adding that the
\nPresident also seemed to stress during the meeting his desire to
\nenhance ties with Beijing.<\/p>\n
He added that the President also suggested greater cooperation
\nbetween the two countries in the area of aircraft manufacturing,
\nparticularly propeller driven aircraft.<\/p>\n
The President also said he would like the two countries to be
\nbetter connected through air travel by establishing a commercial
\nflight route from Beijing to Batam Island via Guangzou, Sukamdani
\nreported.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman has made it clear he would like to establish
\ncloser ties with the Asian giant. He made China the location of
\nhis first official state visit in November.<\/p>\n
For two and a half decades relations between Jakarta and
\nBeijing were frosty, a result of allegations that China
\nsupported an abortive communist coup here in 1965. Diplomatic
\nrelations between the countries were only resumed in 1990. (prb)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ri-mulls-purchase-of-chinese-subs-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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