China and Indonesia agree to boost maritime security cooperation in South China Sea despite tensions | World News
[ad_1] TAIPEI, TAIWAN: Indonesia and China said Monday they committed to maritime cooperation promoting safety and security in the South China Sea, amid longstanding Indonesian suspicions about China's actions in waters controlled by Jakarta. The sides agreed to cooperate in infrastructure building, minerals development and joint security, the last being the most significant because of Indonesia's concerns over Chinese development near the Natuna island group in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims virtually in its entirety. While neither side mentioned the islands directly, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi said the officials agreed to further enhance their security cooperation in a comprehensive and sustainable way. "We will enhance law enforcement and security cooperation to jointly combat transnational (inaudible) cooperation," Wang said following the first joint meeting of foreign and defense ministers from the two sides in Beijing. "We agreed that […]