Welcomes negotiation on South China Sea issue

Indonesia should welcome Chinas decision to hold negotiations to resolve the South China Sea issue, Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Yusuf Wanandi stated here, Monday.

Responding to the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in favor of the Philippines on its lawsuit against China over the South China Sea dispute, China prefers to negotiate and strengthen the existing cooperation, Yusuf informed ANTARA News.

"It is better if we welcome Chinas call to enhance cooperation in other fields in order to offer benefits to all," he stated on the sidelines of the dialog on the South China Sea and Regional Cooperation and Development.

Regarding the issue of Chinese fishing vessels trespassing into Indonesian waters some time ago, Yusuf affirmed that the matter should be resolved under the existing mechanism, which is a joint commission between Indonesia and China.

"A joint commission mechanism is already in place, and this should be continued and intensified to solve any problems, including fishing issues in the South China Sea territory," Yusuf explained.

On July 12, 2016, the PCA in The Hague issued a ruling in favor of the Philippines on a lawsuit against China regarding the South China Sea dispute.

China does not recognize the ruling and rejects it but chooses bilateral negotiation or dialog to avoid a possibility of complicated situations.

Responding to the PCAs ruling, Indonesia has urged all concerned parties to respect the decision and to prioritize peace efforts.

Vice President M. Jusuf Kalla has called on all sides to maintain calm and exercise restraint and to respect international legal decisions related to disputes in the South China Sea.

Meanwhile, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi has appealed to all concerned parties to refrain from actions that would only increase tensions and to find a peaceful solution to restore stability in the region.
 

Source: ANTARA