Leaders in Taiwan yesterday urged the Parliament of Indonesia to set up a "Taiwan caucus" to enhance the two countries' ties, adding that Taiwan hopes to sign a free-trade agreement (FTA) with Indonesia.
"Many lawmakers in your country have showed their support and friendship to Taiwan. These people could organize a Taiwan caucus to enhance exchanges between both countries' legislators and diplomacy between political parties" President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) told Marzuki Darusman, chairman of Indonesia's Golkar Party.
Chen expressed his appreciation to Darusman, who is leading a special delegation to Taiwan, for his efforts to help Vice President Annette Lu (
He stressed that in a recent policymaking meeting, the DPP decided to implement the government's "go south" policy by seeking FTAs with those countries which are friendly to Taiwan.
"And Indonesia is the one that Taiwan must immediately try to negotiate with for trade and economic cooperation," Chen said.
Before meeting with Chen, the delegation received a warm welcome from Lu, who strongly urged the two countries to enhance cooperation.
"Indonesia's economy had been seriously affected by China's economic might in 1997, and Taiwan is now also facing an unprecedented threat from China because Taiwan's businessmen devote their efforts and investment to help China's modernization but China repays these efforts by threatening Taiwan with its military," Lu said.
She added that China devotes a lot of effort to preventing Taiwan from having its voice heard in ASEAN.
Lu also said that Taiwan's experiences demonstrate that Taipei can help Indonesia and other countries in Southeast Asia.
Lu thanked the delegation for the help she received from Indonesian officials who bravely countered Beijing's pressure last month when she visited Jakarta.
The vice president made a clandestine trip to Indonesia a few weeks ago. Initially barred from entry to Jakarta, Lu managed to slip into the city on her return trip after spending two days at the Indonesian resort island of Bali.
RSS