U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday said Washington would find new ways to cooperate with Indonesia in the South China Sea and respected Jakarta’s efforts to safeguard its own waters while rejecting China’s “unlawful” claims in the area.
Pompeo’s visit to Indonesia comes amid a five-nation swing through Asia, where he has sought to strengthen strategic and economic ties amid rising tensions between the United States and China.
In a joint news conference with his Indonesian counterpart, Retno Marsudi, he hailed Jakarta’s “decisive action” to protect its sovereignty in the waters near the Natuna Islands, which China also claims as its territory.
Pompeo said China’s claim was “unlawful”.
“I am looking forward to co-operating together in the new ways to ensure maritime security protects some of the world’s busiest trade routes,” Pompeo said in a streamed news conference after his meeting with Indonesia’s foreign minister.
Retno said she wanted a “stable and peaceful” South China Sea where international law is respected.
Indonesia has repeatedly turned away Chinese coast guard and fishing vessels that have entered the North Natuna Sea.
Retno said Indonesia and the United States would enhance defence cooperation by boosting military procurement, training and exercises, intelligence sharing, and maritime security cooperation in the region.
Although sharing the same position in opposing China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea, Indonesian officials have expressed concern about Washington’s strident anti-China policies and rhetoric alongside rising superpower tensions.
“I re-emphasized the need to pursue inclusive cooperation amidst this challenging time,” Retno said. “I underlined the need for every country to be part of the solution in the collective contribution towards world peace, stability and prosperity.”
This year, Indonesia rejected a U.S. request for landing and refuelling rights in Indonesia for its P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft that monitor China’s military activity.