Indonesian president says he will safeguard sovereignty in South China Sea

Beijing has agelong clashed with Southeast Asian nations implicit the South China Sea, which it claims astir successful its entirety, based connected a “nine-dash line” connected its maps that cuts into the exclusive economical zones (EEZ) of respective countries.

“We respect each powers, but we volition ever safeguard our sovereignty. But I take to ever find possibilities of a partnership,” said Prabowo, who has repeatedly said helium volition prosecute a non-aligned overseas policy. “Partnerships are amended than conflicts,” helium told reporters.

Prabowo, who is connected his archetypal travel since taking bureau past month, met with Chinese President Xi Jinping successful Beijing connected the weekend. A maritime improvement woody signed by China and Indonesia said they had reached communal knowing “on associated improvement successful areas of overlapping claims.”

That wording sparked interest successful Indonesia, with analysts saying it could beryllium interpreted arsenic a alteration successful Jakarta’s long-held stance arsenic a non-claimant authorities successful the South China Sea, and risked compromising Indonesia’s sovereign rights to exploit resources successful its EEZ.

Prabowo did not straight notation to the associated connection successful his comments to reporters, but said helium had discussed the South China Sea with President Joe Biden successful a gathering the time before. Prabowo volition besides question to Peru for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) acme and Brazil for the G20 summit.