Indonesia reaffirms 'one-China' policy

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas confirmed yesterday that he had met with Taiwan Foreign Minister John Chang, both in their private rather than official capacities.

Alatas however reiterated Indonesia's commitment to its "one- China" policy.

"We remain consistent in our policy of recognizing only the People's Republic of China and its government," he told reporters.

"Mr. John Chang was here yesterday in his individual capacity on a private visit," he said.

"That is a normal thing. He was not invited.

"During his visit, he asked to meet with me. I agreed on condition that it was in a private, personal capacity," Alatas said.

Alatas emphasized that he had met Chang not as Indonesian foreign minister, but as "Ali Alatas".

"And he did the same. The term `Taiwan minister' doesn't exist in the Indonesian dictionary," he said, adding that the meeting took place outside his office.

Alatas declined to disclose the contents of their meeting.

Informed sources have earlier said that Chang also met with State Minister of Research and Technology B.J. Habibie on Wednesday.

Chang returned to Taipei yesterday but declined to tell reporters who he met in Indonesia, Reuters reported.

"I have met people I wanted to meet," he said on his arrival at the airport. He did not elaborate.

In spite of the absence of diplomatic ties, Taiwan has become one of Indonesia's main trading partners as well as an important source of private investment.

Beijing, which considers Taiwan as a renegade province, has been quick to denounce any sign that relations between Indonesia and Taiwan would move beyond just business.

In 1994, it protested at a meeting between Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui and Indonesia's President Soeharto which took place when both leaders were "on holiday" in the resort island of Bali. (emb)