Indonesia Considers Joint Coast Guard Exercise With China

Beijing (Antara Bali) - The Indonesian Sea Security Coordinating Agency (Bakamla) said it is studying possible joint exercise with China's Coast Guard (CCC) to promote law enforcement in the sea.

The exercise would be held in certain area with certain materials  and with emphasis in sea law enforcement, Bakamla chief Vice Admiral Arie Soedewo said here after completing his working visit to China on Friday night.

During his stay in China , Arie met with head of China's Coast Guard , Meng Hongwei. The meeting was a follow-up of one they held in Jakarta last May.

At the meeting China presented a concept of memorandum of understanding  that could be implemented by both side any time in the future.

Certainly Bakamla welcomes the MoU with some adjustments such as in technical matter concerning professional requirement that could be implemented by Bakamla and CCC, Arie Soedewo said.

He said the cooperation  would not infringe on the area of other agencies or the constitutions of the two countries.

He said both sides would hold intensive communications  to prevent incident like one off Natuna where CCC has protected Chinese fishing vessels found illegally operating in Indonesian waters.

Both sides agrees to strengthen cooperation  in solving problems involving the interests of both countries in the sea.

Cooperation would be expanded through  higher level meetings , personnel training, exchange of visits by ships  and expansion of capacity, he said.

The two sides also agreed to build up trust, confidence  and coordination to properly respond to any sea crimes  and disputes in order to maintain regional security and stability, he added.

The Natuna incident earlier this year caused worry  that China was expanding its territorial claim southward to Indonesian territory.

Indonesia is not a claimant in the disputed South China Sea conflicts involving a number of other Asean countries. (WDY)