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Indonesia stresses peace and stability in South China Sea
Indonesia has reiterated the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea (SCS) to all claimant parties in region following Vietnam's move to fortify several of its islands with rocket launchers.
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A Vietnamese protester showing a map of the South China Sea marked with "No!" participates in a rally against China near the Chinese Embassy in Seoul, South Korea, on July 24. (AP/Ahn Young-joon)
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ndonesia has reiterated the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea (SCS) to all claimant parties in the region following Vietnam's move to fortify several of its islands with rocket launchers.
Responding to media reports on Vietnam's move to fortify the disputed Spratly Islands with rocket launchers, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Arrmanatha Nasir said on Thursday that all parties must apply self-restraint, adding that any action by one party could result in a counter-reaction from other parties.
"Therefore, actions that reduce tensions would subsequently prompt a reaction that also reduces tensions," he said.
Arrmanatha assured those concerned that all countries were aware of the importance of maintaining peace and stability as a foundation to spur development in the region, evidenced by the number of statements agreed upon during the recent ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Vientiane in Laos last month. Furthermore, he also pointed out that the Southeast Asian region was an "engine of global growth".
The SCS accommodates US$5 trillion worth of trade each year. Four ASEAN countries are claimant states in the SCS. Indonesia is not a claimant state.
Hanoi has reportedly shipped rocket launchers from the Vietnamese mainland, capable of striking at China's runways and military installations, into five bases in the Spratly islands in recent months. (rin)
