Indonesia Refuses Landing of US Military Aircrafts for Refuels, Vows to “Remain Neutral” amid Growing Sino-American Tensions
Reuters quoted four high-ranking Indonesian officials on 20 October as saying that Indonesia had refused earlier this year to let America’s P-8 patrol aircrafts land and refuel. It was claimed that Indonesia wished to “remain neutral” diplomatically as it had always been amid the increasingly fierce competition between the US and China.
The report quoted the sources as saying that US officials had repeatedly contacted Indonesia’s defence and foreign ministers at a “high level” in July and August. According to the sources, the US was seeking permission to land and refuel its P-8 maritime patrol aircrafts, responsible for monitoring China’s actions in the South China Sea. The request was denied by Indonesian president Joko Widodo.
The report said the request surprised Indonesia, which had remained neutral diplomatically and had never allowed foreign military activities in its territory as the sources noted. As US-China tensions mount in Southeast Asia, Indonesian foreign minister Retno Marsudi said in September that Indonesia did not wish to be involved in their competition.
Source: Apple Daily #Oct20
#Indonesia #US #China #SoutheastAsia #SouthChinaSea #JokoWidodo #RetnoMarsudi #Military #Diplomacy
https://bit.ly/31McdyX
Reuters quoted four high-ranking Indonesian officials on 20 October as saying that Indonesia had refused earlier this year to let America’s P-8 patrol aircrafts land and refuel. It was claimed that Indonesia wished to “remain neutral” diplomatically as it had always been amid the increasingly fierce competition between the US and China.
The report quoted the sources as saying that US officials had repeatedly contacted Indonesia’s defence and foreign ministers at a “high level” in July and August. According to the sources, the US was seeking permission to land and refuel its P-8 maritime patrol aircrafts, responsible for monitoring China’s actions in the South China Sea. The request was denied by Indonesian president Joko Widodo.
The report said the request surprised Indonesia, which had remained neutral diplomatically and had never allowed foreign military activities in its territory as the sources noted. As US-China tensions mount in Southeast Asia, Indonesian foreign minister Retno Marsudi said in September that Indonesia did not wish to be involved in their competition.
Source: Apple Daily #Oct20
#Indonesia #US #China #SoutheastAsia #SouthChinaSea #JokoWidodo #RetnoMarsudi #Military #Diplomacy
https://bit.ly/31McdyX
New U.S. Secretary of State Blinken: Rejects Beijing's Claim to Sovereignty in the South China Sea, Joins Southeast Asia to Counter China
On his first day in office, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says he rejects China's claim to sovereignty over the South China Sea and stresses that the United States will stand up for Southeast Asian countries if conflict breaks out in the South China Sea. He also said his judgment that China is genocidal against the Uighurs remains unchanged, but that the United States and China can still work together on mutual concern issues, such as climate change.
The U.S. Senate approved Blinken's nomination to be secretary of state on Tuesday. On his appointment, Blinken told staff in his State Department office that he would mend U.S. relations with allies and prove to the world that the United States is capable of leading.
The U.S. will stand with Southeast Asia to counteract CCP pressure
The State Department issued a statement stating that Blinken called Philippine Foreign Minister Teodoro Locsin after taking office, affirming U.S.' rejection of China's claims of sovereignty and maritime rights in the South China Sea. He also said China's claims went beyond the scope of their rights under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
#China #SouthChinaSea #US #Blinken #SoutheastAsia
Source: Standnews #Jan28
https://bit.ly/2Lonu3G
On his first day in office, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says he rejects China's claim to sovereignty over the South China Sea and stresses that the United States will stand up for Southeast Asian countries if conflict breaks out in the South China Sea. He also said his judgment that China is genocidal against the Uighurs remains unchanged, but that the United States and China can still work together on mutual concern issues, such as climate change.
The U.S. Senate approved Blinken's nomination to be secretary of state on Tuesday. On his appointment, Blinken told staff in his State Department office that he would mend U.S. relations with allies and prove to the world that the United States is capable of leading.
The U.S. will stand with Southeast Asia to counteract CCP pressure
The State Department issued a statement stating that Blinken called Philippine Foreign Minister Teodoro Locsin after taking office, affirming U.S.' rejection of China's claims of sovereignty and maritime rights in the South China Sea. He also said China's claims went beyond the scope of their rights under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
#China #SouthChinaSea #US #Blinken #SoutheastAsia
Source: Standnews #Jan28
https://bit.ly/2Lonu3G