"Currently, the situation has been classified as one at yellow level. Previously, it was marked as red level (danger situation)," Ryacudu stated.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesian Minister of Defense (MoD) Ryamizard Ryacudu has said that the situation in South China Sea region was now somewhat better than it was earlier.

"Currently, the situation has been classified as one at yellow level. Previously, it was marked as red level (danger situation)," Ryacudu stated after a meeting with Coordinating Minister of Politic, Law, and Security, here on Wednesday.

He also noted that as of now, there was nothing to worry about Indonesias ownership of Natuna islands after it has so far been linked to the conflict in South China Sea.

"But we must note that the countries that are involved in the dispute about ownership of Natuna islands, such as China, Vietnam and the Philippines, must not provoke it again," Ryacudu noted.

Previously, Ryacudu said the South China Sea dispute must be dealt with through a strategy that gives priority to an approach of defense diplomacy.

"I mentioned that the South China Sea dispute should be resolved through concrete and constructive measures," Minister Ryacudu said at the Indonesian Defense University, Bogor (West Java), Thursday (November 12).

Ryacudu asked all parties involved in the dispute, ASEAN members and China, to respect Article 8 of the United Nations Charter that states that any dispute in the area must be resolved by the countries in that region (regional settlement).

"One of the proposals, in keeping with that concept, is to conduct peacekeeping joint patroling in the South China Sea," he explained.

Formerly, Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has called for peace in South China Sea and asked China, together with ASEAN countries, to work towards ushering stability and peace in the region by reducing tensions in the South China Sea.

China is an important partner of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, President Jokowi said at the ASEAN-China Summit here on Saturday (November 21).

President Jokowi, in his speech at the meeting, emphasized two things, namely, that ASEAN and China must be able to ensure stability and peace in the region, and tension in the South China Sea must be reduced. All activities that could possibly lead to tension must be halted.

Countries around the South China Sea must display a "mood for cooperation," he said, and added that he believed it was better than a "mood of rivalries."(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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