The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday denied that the Indo-nesian government's plan to terminate the two-month landing visa for tourists, including those from Taiwan, was caused by Vice President Annette Lu's recent (呂秀蓮) visit to Jakarta and Bali.
"The Indonesian government's intention to cease issuing two-month landing visas to Taiwanese tourists has nothing to do with Vice President Lu's visit to Indonesia last month," stressed ministry spokeswoman Katharine Chang (張小月) in response to media inquiries.
Lu paid a four-day surprise visit to Indonesia last month. She was initially barred from entering the country because of Beijing's strong opposition to any such visits.
In the end, she was allowed to go to the resort island of Bali and then travel on to Jakarta.
Chang said that the Indonesian government has been contemplating terminating the two-month landing-visa arrangement. The reasons for this is that some people have taken advantage of the arrangement and have engaged in actions that the Indonesian government deems to be inappropriate, Chang added.
"The Indonesian government is now evaluating its visa policy," said Chang. "If the Indonesian government eventually does terminate the landing-visa arrangement, the move will not affect only Taiwanese tourists, but also those from many other countries -- such as the US, Australia, the UK, New Zealand and Japan."
Before such a change in visa policy can be implemented, it first has to be approved by the Indonesian parliament, said Chang, adding that the ministry would keep a close eye on developments.
Chang added that the Indonesian government initially planned to issue the two-month landing visas to foreign nationals from a number of countries with the understanding that its nationals would get reciprocal treatment in these countries.
Currently, Taiwan does not issue landing visas to Indonesian tourists visiting Taiwan.
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