Chinese government offers Indonesia medical and food aid

Chinese government offers Indonesia medical and food aid

JAKARTA (JP): China has pledged to support Indonesia in its
time of crisis, offering medical and food aid along with export
credit facilities worth US$200 million.

In a media briefing with his visiting Chinese counterpart Tang
Jianxun, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas said Beijing has
offered three forms of bilateral aid to help Indonesia tackle the
crisis.

China, he said, would provide grant medicines and food aid
worth $3 million.

China would also extend export credit facilities of $200
million spread over a two-year period to facilitate trade between
the two countries.

The Chinese government has also offered barter trades,
especially for much needed Chinese agricultural products such as
sugar and soybeans.

Tang, who arrived here Saturday, said the barter trade scheme
would help ease the difficulties being encountered by Indonesia.

The newly appointed Chinese foreign minister also stressed
that his government was ready to stand by its policy of not
depreciating the Chinese currency.

A decision, he described as a "major sacrifice" for China.

Tang expressed confidence that despite the difficult situation
facing it, Indonesia would soon lift itself out of its
predicament.

He acknowledged that "the difficulties confronting Indonesia
are serious" but "I am confident that Indonesia will recover its
economic vigor."

Tang, who is on his first oversees trip as foreign minister,
will meet with President Soeharto this morning before leaving
later this evening. (mds)