RI mulls purchase of Chinese subs

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)