Chinese FM Tang visits Jakarta

JAKARTA: Among the world leaders and diplomats who are to attend the independence celebrations on Sunday of the new nation of Timor Lorosae, the former Indonesian province known as East Timor, is Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Tang Jiaxuan.

Tang, who arrived in Jakarta on Thursday evening, is scheduled to pay a courtesy call on President Megawati Soekarnoputri. During his two-day stay here Tang will also have talks with his Indonesian counterpart, Hassan Wirayuda, Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly, Amien Rais.

He will fly to East Timor's capital of Dili by chartered plane on Saturday.

A seasoned diplomat, Tang, 64, has served the Chinese foreign ministry since 1964 when he worked as a staff member in the ministry's Department of Translation and Interpretation, focusing on Sino-Japan relations. In 1983, he was appointed deputy director general for Asian affairs.

Indonesia was included in Tang's first overseas trip following his appointment as foreign minister in 1998. During his visit, he pledged Beijing's solidarity and support for the Indonesian people who were then suffering under a severe economic crisis.

While attending the 56th session of the United Nations General Assembly last November, Tang met with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and reiterated China's call for the world body to play a more active role in helping boost international peace and development. --JP