Jokowi Assumes Mediator Role on South China Sea

Jakarta Globe, Robertus Wardi, Nov 12, 2014

President Joko Widodo, right, and United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon,
left, during the Asean-UN summit in Naypyitaw on Nov. 12, 2014. (EPA Photo)

Naypyitaw, Myanmar. Indonesian President Joko Widodo has begun to assume his much anticipated role of mediator during this year’s Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit in Myanmar, seeking to resolve tensions in the strategic and resource-rich South China Sea.

Cabinet secretary Andi Widjajanto said on Wednesday that Joko would ask all countries contesting ownership over parts of the sea, including some Asean members and China, to abide by international laws as the affected nations formulate a legally binding code of conduct.

The countries have signed a declaration stating their commitment to follow the proposed code but formulation of the code continued to be the source of intense debate.

Meanwhile, disputing parties continue to use show of force and hard diplomacy.

“The key is … everyone must restrain themselves [from provoking each other],” Andi said. “While the code of conduct is being formulated, disputing countries must continue to abide the international maritime law.”

Indonesia is also putting much emphasis on the creation of the Asean Economic Community, set to take effect next year.

In his address, Joko said the bloc would expedite the ambitious Master Plan on Asean Connectivity, which will construct, expand and standardize roads and ports connecting Asean countries and also key partners, India and China.

J oko said Indonesia wants increased partnerships in investment, industry and trade, highlighting that trade between Asean countries still make up an average of 24.2 percent of the bloc members’ total trade. In five years, he said, Asean must be able to boost the figure to between 35 percent and 40 percent.

“We must value the reciprocity principal of mutual respect, mutual benefit and fair competition in our partnership,” Joko said. “Indonesia will not allow itself to become a mere market [for foreign products].”

“Indonesia must become an essential part in the regional and global production chain,” the president added.

Joko promised to bring more investment to host nation Myanmar, which recently has opened itself after decades of economic and political isolation.

“Indonesia will continue to be a good friend to Myanmar. We will push [our] state-owned enterprises and private firms to invest in Myanmar, particularly in the mining, telecommunication and infrastructure sectors,” Joko said.

The president said Indonesia is mulling direct flights to connect the two countries as well as getting Indonesian banks to set up operations in Myanmar.

Myanmar President Thein Sein said both countries have been cooperating in agriculture and welcomed Indonesia’s plan to expand their partnerships to other sectors.

The summit, Thein said, will discuss a number of current issues.

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