REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BEIJING -- Indonesia has asked for Chinese support to win a seat at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) council for the 2016-2019 period.

"We need Chinese support in our bid for the ICAO council membership," Transport Minister Ignasius Jonan said at a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Yang Chuantang here on Friday.

ICAO is a civil aviation organization under the auspices of the United Nation grouping 191 member countries.

Only 35 of the member countries are allowed to take part in meetings of technical commissions to discuss new regulations to be issued by ICAO.

Election of the members is made through an election mechanism at a General Session with secret ballots every three years.

The next General Session of the ICAO Assembly would be held in September 2016.

Currently 45 percent of world air traffics are controlled in Indonesia through Flight Information Region (FIR) service.

In addition, Indonesia has 237 airports , including 27 serving international flights and the Soekarno Hatta airport has been ranked among 10 busiest airport in the world by the International Airport Council.

"Therefore, we hope for Chinese support in our bid for ICAO council membership," Jonan said.

Yang Chuantang said he would first discuss that matter with his deputy who knows better about international aviation and related agencies.

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