The maritime territorial dispute over the South China Sea in the past few years is feared to develop into an open conflict between parties laying sovereignty claim over a part or whole of the area.
Nay Pyi Taw (ANTARA News) - Indonesia hopes the Indian and Pacific Oceans would remain peaceful and secure in the area of world trade and would not turn into sites of disputes over natural resources, territory, and maritime supremacy.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo conveyed this at a gathering of world leaders at the East Asia Summit here on Thursday.

"As a world maritime axis, Indonesia certainly has an interest in determining the future of the Pacific and Indian Oceans," he stated.

President Widodo said the maritime potential of the region had not yet been maximally exploited and in view of that, Indonesia was proposing to strengthen maritime cooperation areas.

"We urge the ASEAN partner countries in the East Asia Summit to support and be actively involved in realizing the ASEAN Masterplan on Connectivity, especially maritime connectivity and infrastructure," he noted.

The President called for a concrete EAS cooperation in the fields of energy, food resilience, manufacturing, and the preservation of maritime resources sustainability as well as closer cooperation in sea security.

"With regard to the South China Sea in particular, Indonesia welcomes any commitment to implementing the DOC (Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea). I also call for a quick settlement of the COC (Code of Conduct in the South China Sea) through consultation," he emphasized.

The maritime territorial dispute over the South China Sea in the past few years is feared to develop into an open conflict between parties laying sovereignty claim over a part or whole of the area.

Countries that have overlapping claims over the area include Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, China as well as Taiwan.

The dispute has increased regional tension, including a recent clash between Chinese and Vietnamese fleets.

The situation has escalated following both countries laying claim over carrying out drilling activities in the area.

After working hard to settle the DOC, which does not seek self-restraint, the countries concerned are now trying to settle the COC, which is legally binding.

In September 2013, ASEAN and China started the consultation process on the COC marked by the first senior official meeting in Suzhou, China.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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