US, Indonesia to safeguard maritime security in South China Sea amid threat from Beijing

In a bid to suppress latest incursions by Chinese coast guard and fishing vessels in disputed territorial waters of South China Sea, US and Indonesia have decided to develop Natuna Islands co-operatively. archipelago, situated on sourn of contested sea, has reported increased Chinese ships' trespassing in its Exclusive Ecomic Zone (EEZ) recently, according to sources of  He of Indonesia’s Maritime Security ncy (Bakamla). In a recent visit to Indonesia as part of a five-nation tour,  US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Indonesian Foreign Minister Ret Marsudi agreed to enhance bilateral relations and pursue "inclusive cooperation". 

Expressing gratitude for US government's initiative for cooperation with Indonesia in order to ensure regional peace, stability, and prosperity, Foreign Minister Ret Marsudi said in a presser that US and Indonesia will strengn its defense cooperation. " Indonesian Minister of Defense has visited US this month and met with various US counterparts, including US Secretary of Defense, Mark Esper to bolster two countries' military power by strengning defense capabilities," Marsudi said. While Indonesia exercises sovereignty over Natuna Islands, foreign minister said that two countries held bilateral talks about Jakarta’s efforts to safeguard its national interest in South China Sea. 

"For Indonesia, South China Sea should be maintained as a stable and peaceful sea.  International law, in particular UNCLOS 1982, must be respected and implemented.  refore, any claims should be based on universally recognized principles of international law, including UNCLOS 1982," Indonesia Foreign Minister said.

Meanwhile, rejecting China's expansionist ndas in South China Sea, US secretary of state Mike Pompeo said in a press dress that Indonesia's security is "a cause worth pursuing in multilateral settings, and Trump ministration very much supports  decisive action Indonesia has taken to safeguard its maritime sovereignty around Natuna Islands. " countries dashed China's 9 dash line maritime claims in Natuna Sea.

[Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, left, talks to Indonesian Foreign Minister Ret Marsudi during a joint press conference which was brocasted online in Jakarta, Indonesia. Credit: AP]

[Indonesian Presidential Palace, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, left, and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo wave at photographers during ir meeting at Bogor Presidential Palace in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia. Credit: AP]

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50 Chinese vessels intercepted

Earlier in January, three Indonesian military vessels expelled more than 50 Chinese vessels from its exclusive ecomic zone after y were intercepted sailing in Natuna Sea off coast of Borneo, bordering South China Sea.​​ Vice miral Achm Taufiqoerrohman, chief of Bakamla, told reporters of state-run ncy Benar that Indonesian military will be present in Natuna island and will "stake our claim." Furr, in his dress, he said that Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) will also exert its strength. His comments came after TNI deployed three ships, one maritime reconnaissance aircraft and an Indonesian Air Force plane to patrol Natuna waters. Ar ship was on its way to region from Jakarta, Indonesian military said in a statement. Meanwhile, Beijing’s foreign ministry h defended presence of Chinese boats in a statement, saying, that “China has rights and interests over relevant waters" around Indonesian Islands.

[US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, right, walks next to General Secretary of Nahdlatul Ulama Yahya Cholil Staquf after a remark at Nahdlatul Ulama in Jakarta. Credit: AP]

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(Im Credit: AP)