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.