Jakarta seeking Beijing pledge on S. China Sea rules – 15 May 2017

• Indonesia has asked China to make good on its promise to conclude by mid-year the ongoing negotiations on a framework for a code of conduct (COC) in the South China Sea, an Indonesian foreign ministry spokesman said, as its Foreign Minister, Ms Retno Marsudi, met her counterpart, Mr Wang Yi, in Beijing on 13 May 17.
• Ms Retno met Mr Wang to discuss various issues of common concern, including the South China Sea debate, said Indonesian foreign ministry spokesman Arrmanatha Nasir. Eager to prevent a dangerous escalation in maritime disputes, Asean is determined to finalise the framework of a COC with China before the end of the 2017.
• At the meeting between Mr Wang and Ms Retno, the Chinese Foreign Minister told his Indonesian counterpart that China and Indonesia – both big developing countries with extensive common interests – should jointly strive for regional peace, stability and prosperity, Xinhua news agency reported.
• Asean and Chinese diplomats plan to convene another meeting in Guiyang, China, later this week with an eye towards concluding the COC framework by mid-2017.
• Jakarta is now thinking about the next step, he said, and emphasised that it would seek Beijing’s commitment to a clear timeline for the earliest conclusion of the COC.

External Link : http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/jakarta-seeking-beijing-pledge-on-s-china-sea-rules