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China Plays Important Part in International Politics: Indonesian Minister
Indonesian Foreign Minister Alwi Shihab said Wednesday China plays an important part the in international forum in the wake of the Soviet Union's downfall.
"At the moment, China has a very important role in the constellation of international politics following the downfall of the Soviet Union," Shihab told the House of Representatives (DPR) Commission I for security and foreign affairs in a hearing.
Emphasizing the importance of close relations with China, Shihab said: "Indonesia should also be able to use (the position of China) to improve our foreign relations as well as our diplomacy. Moreover, in the United Nations (UN), China always backs our position in dealing with East Timor and human rights issues," Shihab said.
"Economically, China is also a good partner for Indonesia in particular for the developing of tourism industry," he added, citing the government has adopted an open door policy to Chinese citizens.
"The policy is aimed at boosting bilateral relationship between the Indonesian government and the People's Republic of China as well as attracting Chinese businessmen to invest in Indonesia," the minister said.
After the falling of Soeharto's regime in 1998, the Indonesian government began to relax regulations imposed on Chinese citizens as well as those of Chinese descent in the country.
In July 2000, the government officially revoked several barriers suggested to have been obstacles for the arrival of Chinese tourists in the archipelago country.
It also eased procedures for visa permits and revoking a clearing house which was aimed at boosting Chinese arrival here.
The clearing house process was installed by former president Soeharto in a bid to prevent the spread of communism in Indonesia.
"There is no discrimination against Chinese citizens. We treat all foreigners without discrimination," Shihab said.
"Our bilateral relations with China are based on the free and active principle of our foreign policy. Our relationship is not influenced by the existence of China as a nuclear power," he added.
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