Exclusive | Exclusive: Widodo’s peace formula for South China Sea
Joint projects in maritime research and the fishing industry could be a building block for a code of conduct in the disputed waters, says Indonesian president
“In the transitional period before we have the code, the building block of trust is very important. I stress, very important,” he said.
Widodo’s comments indicate that Southeast Asia’s largest nation has no intention of becoming more confrontational over this potentially explosive issue. Asked for his assessment of the president’s remarks, maritime security expert Ian Storey said, “I do not discern a hardening of Indonesia’s position on the South China Sea, which remains consistent.”
Widodo wants Chinese to keep coming – as investors, not workers
Indonesia does not count itself among the states with active, competing claims over various parts of the South China Sea, but the vast archipelago has islands close to the resource-rich waters of the disputed territories.