Durian. Indonesia gives a normal respond to the statement of the United States that rejects China’s territory claims in South China Sea.
On July 13, US’ State Secretary Mike Pompeo issued a strong statement championing “a free and open Indo-Pacific”.
“Today we’re strengthening US policy in a vital, contentious part of the region – the South China Sea. We are making clear: Beijing’s claims to offshore resources across most of the South China Sea are completely unlawful as is its campaign of bullying to control them,” Pompeo said in a statement.
China since 2009 announced its Nine-Dashes Line territory claims over South China Sea that was responded by countries in Asia-Pacific region with rejection.
Philippines government filed its rejection on China’s claims to International Tribunal that favored the member of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) in 2016, ordering Beijing to respect existing international law which is the United Nations Convention for the Law of the Sea (Unclos) 1982.
China’s Nine-Dashes Line claims include part of Indonesia’s territory. However, the government of Indonesia did not accept the claim, stating its maritime border is clear according to Unclos 1982.
The archipelago country also use the name of the waters that was claimed by China as part of its Nine-Dashes Line claims as Natuna’s waters.
Therefore, Pompeo’s statement on July 13 was responded by Indonesia in normal attitude.
“Indonesia’s position concerning Natuna’s waters is always firm and consistent and it is based on the Unclos. The Tribunal Award of 2016 confirmed Indonesia’s position,” Teuku Faizasyah, the spokesman of Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry told thebigdurian.news on July 14.
“Any country’s support for Indonesia’s rights concerning Natuna’s waters is normal as our position is based on the Unclos,” he added.
