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JAKARTA: While Indonesia is currently cooperating with China to secure COVID-19 vaccines for its citizens, this initiative will not influence its position in the South China Sea, the foreign minister said on Tuesday (October 6), Retno Marsudi.
Indonesia is not a claimant state in the South China Sea, but on more than one occasion it has clashed with China over fishing rights around the Natuna Islands in the southern part of the disputed waters. Last month, a Chinese coast guard vessel was spotted in the waters off Natuna.
When asked if the ongoing vaccine development would affect Indonesia’s position on the disputed waters, he replied: “I can answer firmly, as firmly as possible. No. Those are two different things and when we work together, it is not cooperation that is unequal that only benefits one party, in this case Indonesia. “
“But Chinese companies and China as a country also enjoy the fruits or benefits of this cooperation. It’s a two-way benefit, ”he told CNA in an exclusive interview.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi. (Photo: Brochure / Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia)
On multiple occasions this year, Mdm Marsudi has reiterated that Indonesia is not a party to the territorial dispute in the South China Sea and that the nine-line map of lines that China uses as the basis for its claims in the waters lacks international legal basis. . .
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The largest economy in Southeast Asia is currently participating in a late-stage human trial of China’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate Sinovac Biotech, one of the few candidates in the world that has entered phase 3 clinical trials.
It is also working together with another Chinese company, Sinopharm, to ensure that 260 million Indonesians can be vaccinated.
There have been recent signs of tensions in the South China Sea amid the COVID-19 situation.
Earlier this year, the US Navy said that a guided missile destroyer had sailed through waters near the Paracel Islands, challenging China’s claim to the area.
READ: Recent Activities in the South China Sea May Increase Tensions Amid COVID-19 Pandemic, Says Indonesian Foreign Minister
Last month, a Chinese coast guard vessel entered Indonesia’s 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) off the northern islands of Natuna and only left after radio challenges over jurisdiction.
Responding to the latest situation in the waters off Natuna, Mdm Marsudi said that a ship from another country may be in the Indonesian EEZ if it is only passing through, but not if it is there to exercise a territorial claim.
“If the purpose is to exercise your claim with the nine-dash line, of course, it cannot be justified. But after we communicated, through diplomatic channels, the ship moved, ”said Indonesia’s top diplomat.
She hopes that incidents related to the entry of foreign vessels into Indonesia’s EEZ will continue.
“I think this will not be the last time it happens. Maybe it will happen again. And we will continue to communicate, we will continue to defend our principles as we said before.”
Indonesian President Joko Widodo during his visit to a military base on the Natuna Islands, which border the South China Sea. (Photo: AFP / PRESIDENTIAL PALACE)
Last December, Chinese fishing boats and guards also entered Natuna waters, and as a result, Mdm Marsudi summoned the Chinese ambassador to Jakarta.
Indonesia then deployed warships and fighter jets to Natuna. After several days of stalemate and President Joko Widodo’s visit to the area, Chinese ships left the area.
READ: Why Indonesia reaffirms its position on the South China Sea and rejects China’s offer to hold bilateral talks
MULTIPLE PARTNERS IN THE INDONESIAN VACCINES DIPLOMACY
Developing Indonesia’s vaccine diplomacy, Mdm Marsudi said that at the beginning of the pandemic, Indonesia had reached out to countries believed to have the capacity to meet its vaccine needs.
“So we talk to everyone, to all countries. There were those who responded quickly, and some responded a little later. To those who responded quickly, and to those who responded later, we all returned.
“Well, it just so happens that the one who responded quickly was Sinovac. And the cooperation with Sinovac also implies cooperation for technology transfer, for manufacturing and others, ”he told CNA.
Indonesia will test Sinovac Biotech’s COVID-19 candidate vaccine on 1,620 people over a six-month period. (Photo: Kiki Siregar)
He said that after securing a partnership with Sinovac, Indonesia did not stop searching for partners.
In addition to working together with China, Indonesia is also developing its own vaccine while working together with the United Arab Emirates and South Korea. It is also in talks with two parties in the UK regarding cooperation on vaccines, she said.
“Therefore, I can confirm that it is wrong if there is a perception that Indonesia is only going to China. No, we are trying to cooperate with all countries because, apart from many sources, there are many needs.”
“And in Indonesian politics, it is clear that we are free and active and we will not side with one bloc against the other. It’s very clear. And this is manifested in all our policies. “
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