Vice President Annette Lu (
"The Indonesian government had demonstrated inadequate sincerity in its dealings with us. Several of our investment projects with Indonesia were naturally called off as a result," Lu said.
Lu was responding to a Chinese-language media report that Kung Hai-jung (孔海榮), a Taiwanese lawyer based in Indonesia who had arranged Lu's surprise visit to Indonesia last August, was unhappy with Taiwan's government for breaking promises made when he organized the trip.
According to the report, Kung said Lu had offered to help Indonesia develop its industry, fisheries and agriculture after she visited the country.
Lu also said that Taiwan might sign a NT$400 billion (US$11.4 billion) natural gas purchase contract with Indonesia.
The report said Kung branded Taiwan's government as one that "tears down the bridge after crossing the river" (過河拆橋), a Chinese idiom meaning to "discard one's helpers after their help is made use of."
Lu said the government had sound reasons for calling off the investment projects after her visit to Jakarta last August.
She said it was out of sincerity in wanting to advance diplomatic relations that both she and President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) arranged to visit to the country in the first place.
"However, the Indonesian government demonstrated inadequate sincerity in developing relations with us when, at the last minute, it forced Chen to cancel his trip," Lu said.
Chen had planned to visit Indonesia last December, but had to suddenly call off the trip as Jakarta bowed to pressure from Beijing.
"What's more, rhetoric from its government officials greatly hurt Taiwan's national status and its people," Lu said.
She was referring to a statement by Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda, who, in an attempt to placate Beijing after Chen's planned visit to Indonesia was made public, said that visits by Taiwanese officials are not welcome.
Denying that the government had "discarded its helpers," Lu said, "Whether or not relations between Taiwan and Indonesia can develop substantially depends on actions by the Indonesian government in expressing goodwill toward Taiwan."
Joseph Wu (
Lu questioned the motives of the newspaper that reported Kung's criticism, noting it was the same newspaper that disclosed her trip to Indonesia last August, forcing her to jump through hoops to get into the country.
"Why doesn't our media stand on our side and report from [Taiwan's] point of view?" Lu asked.
"When it comes to reports concerning our national dignity and interest, please stand by our side and stop siding with Beijing," she said.
In related news, starting this October, the Indonesian government will adopt a new visa policy, under which visa-free entry for visitors from Taiwan will end.
Kao Suo-tai (
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