JAKARTA: Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto stated he would “at all times safeguard our sovereignty” when requested concerning the challenge of the South China Sea, including partnerships are higher than conflicts and that “we respect all powers”.
Prabowo’s feedback, made whereas he was in Washington on Wednesday (Nov 13), got here after his international ministry careworn that Indonesia doesn’t recognise China’s claims over the South China Sea despite signing a maritime deal with Beijing last weekend.
Beijing has lengthy clashed with Southeast Asian nations over the South China Sea, which it claims virtually in its entirety, primarily based on a “nine-dash line” on its maps that cuts into the unique financial zones (EEZ) of a number of nations.
“We respect all powers, however we’ll at all times safeguard our sovereignty. However I select to at all times discover prospects of a partnership,” stated Prabowo, who has repeatedly stated he’ll pursue a non-aligned international coverage.
“Partnerships are higher than conflicts,” he instructed reporters.