Indonesia Intervenes in South China Sea Dispute

Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa was in Cambodia on Thursday, trying to mend an ASEAN rift over the disputed waters in the South China Sea.

 

The ten ASEAN nations couldn't agree on how to deal with China's increasing assertiveness in disputed waters of the South China Sea. 

 

With the support of The Philippines and Vietnam, Indonesia has taken on the role of mediator in the dispute.

 

Indonesia is drawing up a code of conduct to prevent any acts of conflict in the area. 

 

[Marty Natalegawa, Indonesian Foreign Minister]: 

"That Indonesia has been carrying out, over the past 36 hours, it is fair to describe it as being an intensive shuttle diplomacy effort … ASEAN continues to remain to be united, to be cohesive on all issues of common concern, not least, and especially on the issue of South China Sea." 

 

Cambodia, the chair of ASEAN, is reliant on the Chinese regime for billions of dollars in assistance.

 

It appears that political pressure from the Chinese regime had them break their long-standing alliance with Vietnam.

 

They sided with the Chinese regime to scuttle discussion of the South China Sea dispute.

 

Now the spotlight is fixed on the Chinese regime bullying Cambodia and other ASEAN countries.

 

The Indonesian Foreign Minister is hoping to have an agreement drawn up with ASEAN members on the issue by the end of his tour.