Taiwan VP's visit to Indonesia likely to ruffle China's feathers
Taiwan VP's visit to Indonesia likely to ruffle China's feathers
Agencies, Jakarta
Taiwan's Vice President Annette Lu flew in to Indonesia on Wednesday for a visit likely to ruffle China's feathers, but Jakarta said her trip was unofficial and a Taipei representative said it had nothing to do with politics.
Lu arrived at the Indonesian resort island of Bali after transiting at Soekarno-Hatta Airport. A Bali Ngurah Rai airport official, I Gusti Made Dhordy, told The Jakarta Post that she had arrived as a foreign tourist and was scheduled to stay in the island until Aug.20.
Taiwanese and Indonesian officials declined to confirm or deny Taiwanese media reports that Lu had been denied entry to Jakarta due to Chinese pressure.
Indonesia, stressing its "One China Policy", which recognizes Beijing as the sole representative of the Chinese government, said Lu had wanted to visit only Bali in the first place and would be there for two days to three days.
"The Government of Indonesia has not in any way arranged for the visit of Ms. (Annette) Lu Hsiu-lien, certainly not in her supposed capacity as vice president of an entity that names itself as the Republic of China," said a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
"Indonesia also consistently adheres to a 'One China Policy' and has long recognized Chinese Taipei as an integral part of the People's Republic of China," the statement said, adding that Jakarta valued highly its relations in all aspects with Beijing, which had continued to strengthen over the past decade.
China, however, protested to the Jakarta government for allowing Lu to visit the country.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Kong Quan reiterated China's stance that it opposed countries that had diplomatic relations with Beijing having "any form of official contact with Taiwan."
"China has made solemn representations to the Indonesian side," Quan said in a statement issued by the Xinhua news agency and reported on state television.
Taiwan's media reported earlier that Lu had intended to stay in Jakarta for two days and meet with ministerial-level officials for discussions on environmental issues and economic cooperation.
Kong said, "The Chinese side requests the Indonesian government strictly abide by the 'one China policy', be on guard against a plot by Taiwan authorities, adopt decisive measures and protect friendly relations between China and Indonesia."
Kong did not explain the "plot" he referred to, but Beijing has accused Taipei of using unofficial visits to countries with which China has diplomatic relations to try and develop ties with them.
Taipei is recognized by only 27 nations, mostly small countries in Africa and Central America. China has often protested to countries with which it has diplomatic relations over their receiving high-level Taiwanese officials.