RI mulls purchase of Chinese subs

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia is considering purchasing Chinese-made submarines in the near future.

The chairman of the Indonesia-China Economic and Sociocultural Association, Sukamdani Sahid Gitosarjono, told journalists after accompanying visiting Vice Chairman of the People's Republic of China Congress Wang Guang Ying to a meeting with President Abdurrahman Wahid on Friday, that the idea had been proposed by the President.

Sukamdani said the President realized the capability of the country's Navy was still far below the necessary requirements.

"Gus Dur said the Indonesian Navy is considering purchasing Chinese-made ships such as submarines," Sukamdani said, referring to the President by his nickname.

He offered no details on the type or number of vessels Indonesia was considering purchasing.

Sukamdani merely said that Chinese-made vessels were equipped with the necessary sophisticated hardware, adding that the President also seemed to stress during the meeting his desire to enhance ties with Beijing.

He added that the President also suggested greater cooperation between the two countries in the area of aircraft manufacturing, particularly propeller driven aircraft.

The President also said he would like the two countries to be better connected through air travel by establishing a commercial flight route from Beijing to Batam Island via Guangzou, Sukamdani reported.

Abdurrahman has made it clear he would like to establish closer ties with the Asian giant. He made China the location of his first official state visit in November.

For two and a half decades relations between Jakarta and Beijing were frosty, a result of allegations that China supported an abortive communist coup here in 1965. Diplomatic relations between the countries were only resumed in 1990. (prb)