US secy of state Pompeo, Indonesian counterpart review defense ties over South China Sea

US State Department has reportedly said on August 3 that State Secretary Mike Pompeo h a high-level discussion with Indonesian Foreign Minister Ret Marsudi about bilateral defense ties between both nations. As per reports, y also discussed regional tensions over China's claim that it owns majority of South China Sea. state department reportedly said in a statement that re is a strong US-Indonesia Strategic Partnership and both countries share same goal of respect for international law in South China Sea. 

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High-level talk

According to reports, Pompeo and  Marsudi also highlighted importance of increased public health and ecomic cooperation to rebuild ecomies of US and Indonesia as well as to keep region safe. Indonesia has rejected China's claim over South China Sea, although, country is t a claimant in South China Sea dispute which involves  China, Taiwan, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Vietnam. 

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As per reports, Pompeo stressed about Indonesian island Natuna as being outside of China's jurisdiction. exclusive ecomic zone of Natuna overlaps with "nine-dash line" map that marks China's claim to disputed waterway. According to international media reports, Indonesia has conducted a four-day drill in South China Sea with 24 warships which include two missile destroyers, four escort vessels, and an unspecified land-based training. 

Amid China’s growing interest in South China Sea, Indonesia has conducted exercises in vicinity of Riau Islands. Through years, China has claimed large sections of water and has even assembled arms at several territories over disputed islands in region. In recent years, re has been a spike in incursions led by China into 200-mile exclusive ecomic zone surrounding Natunas group of islands. But w Indonesia has reportedly attempted to strengn its grounds. 

Even though United States has repeatedly restricted China’s interests of expansion but Association of Souast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have avoided following America’s le amid fears of eir ecomic and military retaliation. Foreign Brief has stated that if US continues to opt aggressive foreign policies inste of providing strong support against China’s tactics, n ASEAN members will also be motivated to hardline deterrence measures and even military confrontation. 

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Im: AP