Indonesia, China strive to improve relations

Indonesia, China strive to improve relations

By Kornelius Purba

BEIJING (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid and Chinese
President Jiang Zemin agreed on Wednesday not to let the strong
bonds between the two nations be spoilt by incidental ethnic
sentiments.

Indonesian foreign minister Alwi Shihab said Abdurrahman,
during the meeting with the Chinese leader, acknowledged that
ethnic enmity may prevail among small portions of Indonesian
society, however it was not shared by the majority of the
population nor was it sanctioned by the government.

"Relations between Indonesia and China should not be allowed
to be affected by the perception that Indonesian people
discriminate against ethnic Chinese," Alwi said after the 90-
minute meeting.

Abdurrahman arrived in Beijing on Wednesday afternoon for a
three-day state visit. Despite already having visited 13 other
countries, officially China is his first state visit.

Included in the presidential entourage were 90 businessmen,
each of whom forked out US$2,000 for the privilege.

While pledging Jakarta's commitment to maintain fair and equal
treatment to all citizens, Abdurrahman also warned that
unbecoming behavior and attitudes of some Chinese-Indonesians
could also cause negative perceptions of the whole Chinese
community.

Among the prominent businessmen included in the delegation
were Aburizal Bakrie, Sofyan Wanandi, Tong Djoe, Lippo Group's
James Riady and Maspion's owner Markus Alim.

A state welcome was planned to be held in front of Tiananmen
Square, but as the weather was too cold, about 4 decrees Celsius,
the venue was moved to inside the Great Hall.

A red carpet was rolled out and a 21-gun salvo was fired to
welcome the President, who described China as his ancestors'
motherland.

During the meeting Abdurrahman was accompanied by six
ministers, including Coordinating Minister for Economy, Industry
and Finance Kwik Kian Gie, State Minister of Research and
Technology A.S. Hikam and Alwi Shihab. Jiang's team included
deputy prime minister Qian Qichen, one of the architects of the
normalization of diplomatic ties between the two countries in
1990.

"Choosing China as the first official visit after resuming
office, I believe this fully demonstrates your excellency's
attached importance to developing Indonesian relations with
China. I wish to express my appreciation to you for that," Jiang
said in his opening remark.

Indonesia severed diplomatic relations with China in 1967, two
years after an abortive coup attempt allegedly by the Indonesian
Communist Party (PKI), in which China was accused of being
involved. China denied the accusation.

Ethnic Chinese are estimated to make up about 3 percent of the
Indonesian population but they play a major role in the economy,
which often sparks anti-Chinese sentiments.

During the meeting the two leaders agreed that a Bank of China
branch would be opened in Jakarta.

Kwik said he could not understand why the Indonesian
government in the past did not approve of the opening of a Bank
of China in Jakarta.

On Thursday morning, Abdurrahman and First Lady Sinta Nuriyah
are scheduled to undergo five-hour medical treatment at
Ophthalmological Hospital, China Academy of Traditional Chinese
Medicine.

"The President will check his eye condition, while Ibu Nuriyah
will have a checkup," Umar Wahid, the President's brother and his
personal physician, told The Jakarta Post.

Abdurrahman had medical treatment in the United States in
November, but apparently also wants Chinese doctors to look at
his failing eyesight.

Doctors have said his right eye achieved an impression
progress of 20 percent vision compared to only 5 percent before
surgery. His left eye, however, will remain sightless.

The first lady uses a wheelchair after a 1993 car accident in
which Abdurrahman's mother was killed.

Umar, who arrived in Beijing several days ago, said the
treatment would combine modern medication and Chinese traditional
medicines.