Jakarta (Antara Bali) - Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu hopes the rising tensions after the Permanent Court of Arbitration's (PCA's) ruling on the South China Sea that went in favor of the Philippines will not disturb the sea trade lane.
"Despite the rising tensions, the trade lane in South China Sea should be secured, as it is important and of high economic value," the Indonesian defense minister stated here on Monday (July 18).
The South China Sea area is very strategic for the global trade traffic and is valued at less than US$20 trillion.
The waters are increasingly important as 30 percent of the world's oil valued at some US$8 trillion passes through the South China Sea.
According to Ryamizard, a request to maintain security and stability in the South China Sea has been submitted to Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia Xie Feng to be forwarded to Chinese Minister of Defense Chang Wanquan.
"I would like to emphasize that although China does not agree with the arbitration ruling, the trade lane should be secured," he affirmed.
Although some ASEAN countries have chosen to side with the Philippines or China, Indonesia has taken a neutral stance and has urged all parties to prioritize peace in resolving the South China Sea dispute.
"We urge all parties to exercise restraint and to not take any actions that can trigger tensions in the region. We also call for peace and stability in the region," Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi emphasized.
According to Retno, Indonesia's stance in the South China Sea dispute is prioritizing the importance of respecting international laws that have been adopted, including the 1982 UNCLOS.
With peace and stability in the South China Sea region, Retno said, every party can boost higher economic growth in Asia compared to other regions.
Earlier, China had stated that the PCA's ruling would not affect the completion of the agreement of Code of Conduct to resolve the South China Sea dispute. (WDY)
COPYRIGHT © ANTARA News Bali 2016
"Despite the rising tensions, the trade lane in South China Sea should be secured, as it is important and of high economic value," the Indonesian defense minister stated here on Monday (July 18).
The South China Sea area is very strategic for the global trade traffic and is valued at less than US$20 trillion.
The waters are increasingly important as 30 percent of the world's oil valued at some US$8 trillion passes through the South China Sea.
According to Ryamizard, a request to maintain security and stability in the South China Sea has been submitted to Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia Xie Feng to be forwarded to Chinese Minister of Defense Chang Wanquan.
"I would like to emphasize that although China does not agree with the arbitration ruling, the trade lane should be secured," he affirmed.
Although some ASEAN countries have chosen to side with the Philippines or China, Indonesia has taken a neutral stance and has urged all parties to prioritize peace in resolving the South China Sea dispute.
"We urge all parties to exercise restraint and to not take any actions that can trigger tensions in the region. We also call for peace and stability in the region," Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi emphasized.
According to Retno, Indonesia's stance in the South China Sea dispute is prioritizing the importance of respecting international laws that have been adopted, including the 1982 UNCLOS.
With peace and stability in the South China Sea region, Retno said, every party can boost higher economic growth in Asia compared to other regions.
Earlier, China had stated that the PCA's ruling would not affect the completion of the agreement of Code of Conduct to resolve the South China Sea dispute. (WDY)
Editor : I Gusti Bagus Widyantara
COPYRIGHT © ANTARA News Bali 2016