TAIPEI, Taiwan โ On Monday, Indonesia and China declared their commitment to fostering maritime cooperation that will promote safety and security in the South China Sea. This comes amid Indonesiaโs longstanding suspicions about Chinaโs activities in waters within its control.
The two countries have expressed their intent to work together on infrastructure development, minerals exploration, and most notably, joint security measures. Indonesia has been particularly concerned about Chinaโs initiatives near the Natuna Islands, a region in the South China Sea that Beijing claims almost entirely as its own.
Despite avoiding direct references to the islands, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi confirmed that both nations agreed to enhance their security partnership in a sustainable and comprehensive manner.
โWe will enhance law enforcement and security cooperation to jointly combat transnational (inaudible) activities,โ Wang stated following the inaugural joint meeting of foreign and defense ministers from Indonesia and China held in Beijing.
Wang further added, โWe agreed that safeguarding peace and stability in the South China Sea aligns with the interests of all parties, and we will establish a model for maritime cooperation.โ Both nationsโ coast guards have signed a memorandum of understanding focused on maritime security and safety.
The strategic waterway, bordered by Indonesia, sees approximately $5 trillion worth of global trade flow through it annually. Though Indonesia is not officially one of the six countries that have overlapping territorial claims with China, such disputes have raised concerns about potential conflicts involving China and the United States.
Notably, the southernmost extent of Chinaโs territorial claims lies within Indonesiaโs 370-kilometer (200-nautical-mile) exclusive economic zone. Indonesian security forces regularly patrol these areas, often confronting or detaining Chinese fishing vessels, which has contributed to tensions. Additionally, Jakarta remains wary of Chinaโs intentions for the Natuna islands, some of which fall within Chinaโs โnine-dash line,โ a line used by Beijing to outline its claims over most of the South China Sea.
Patrol ships from Chinaโs coast guard have been observed escorting fishing vessels, leading to confrontations with Indonesiaโs coast guard. In response, Indonesia has bolstered its patrol frequency and increased its military presence across the numerous islands.
During a state visit last year by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, both countries pledged cooperation in developing maritime initiatives without impacting sovereignty claims. This move has somewhat alleviated the situation.
While the focus has primarily been on economic collaboration, on Monday, Chinese Defense Minister Adm. Dong Jun revealed that the countries have also agreed to enhance communication and conduct joint counter-terrorism exercises later this year.
The South China Sea, especially areas adjacent to Indonesia, has at times become notorious for piracy, where ships undergo changes such as repainted exteriors, name swaps, and altered electronic identities in the regionโs numerous ports and islands.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono and Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin echoed Chinaโs commitment to addressing economic and security issues, emphasizing their unified stance against terrorism, violent extremism, and cyber threats. They also expressed concerns over rising transnational crime in the area.
Sugiono announced that Indonesia plans to open a consulate in Chengdu, a southwestern Chinese city known for its strong ties to Southeast Asia.
Economic relations between Indonesia and China have experienced significant growth recently. China has become Indonesiaโs largest trading partner, investing billions in major infrastructure projects, including the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway and Southeast Asiaโs largest floating solar power project at Cirata Reservoir in West Java, 130 kilometers (80 miles) from Jakarta.
While disagreements have arisen concerning the pricing and timelines of these projects, China remains committed to completing them as part of President Xi Jinpingโs broader โBelt and Roadโ initiative aimed at developing infrastructure throughout the region.
Chinaโs ongoing strategy in the South China Sea is to tackle each territorial claim separately, avoiding a unified opposition, and sometimes retracting previous promises, such as commitments not to militarize artificial islands within its controlled areas.