TheJakartaPost

Please Update your browser

Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.

Jakarta Post

US, China compete to woo RI over S. China Sea

Indonesia suddenly finds itself caught in a sphere of influence battle between the US and China when the interests of the world’s two largest economies collide in the South China Sea, an area just off Indonesia’s northwest extremity

Abdul Khalik and Rendi R. Witular (The Jakarta Post)
Jakarta
Fri, July 23, 2010

Share This Article

Change Size

US, China compete to woo RI over S. China Sea

I

ndonesia suddenly finds itself caught in a sphere of influence battle between the US and China when the interests of the world’s two largest economies collide in the South China Sea, an area just off Indonesia’s northwest extremity.

China has flexed its military muscle in the South China Sea, an area it claims as its own, and directly confronted US vessels and companies operating in the area, turning the 3.5 million-square-kilometer stretch of ocean into one of Asia’s most dangerous flash points.

Top Chinese generals spoke with President Susilo Bambang Yudho-yono recently on the disputed area with the issue topping the agenda when US Defense Secretary Robert Gates met with the President on Thursday.

“Why do we have to pay more attention to the area? There are new tensions here recently between the US and China. Although I don’t believe it will escalate and is still manageable, it creates tension,” Yudho-yono said.

Gates said during their meeting that he and Yudhoyono discussed ways to settle South China Sea disputes, and how Indonesia, which had no claims in the area, could help stabilize the region following heightened tension.

“This dispute should be resolved peacefully and in accordance with international law. They probably should be resolved multilaterally,” Gates said after meeting Yudhoyono.

Six Asian countries have long had competing claims to various islands in the area, frequently sending token military forces there.

The US is paying closer attention to the South China Sea after China reportedly threatened US energy giant ExxonMobil with retaliation if it continued oil exploration off Vietnam in waters China considers its own. Last year, Chinese military vessels harassed US surveillance ships in the area.

Earlier last month, Gates made what is believed to be the highest-level public US remarks to date on the issue.

“The South China Sea is an area of growing concern,” he said at a security forum in Singapore. “This sea is not only vital to those directly bordering it, but to all nations with economic and security interests in Asia.”

Gates repeated long-standing US policy that it took no position on conflicting sovereignty claims in the South China Sea.

Although Indonesia is trying to balance its position between the two giants, Yudhoyono agreed Tuesday with the US, announcing the country’s three pillars on the issue.

“First, we can’t let any country dominate [the area] and dictate [its will]. That’s why [creating] dynamic equilibrium becomes very important. Second, we must maintain peace, security and order,” Yudho-yono said.

The third, he said, was that cases of territorial dispute should be settled through peaceful conflict resolution.

University of Indonesia military expert Andi Widjajanto said tensions began escalating in May last year, when China began deploying destroyers to the area.

He said the reason why the US sought Indonesia’s involvement in the issue was because it believed Indonesia had an interest in maintaining regional stability.

It is estimated that oil and natural gas reserves in the Spratly region amount to 17.7 billion tons, making it the world’s fourth-largest reserve bed.

Mustaqim Adamrah contributed to the story

{

Your Opinion Matters

Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.

Enter at least 30 characters
0 / 30

Thank You

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.