Saturday, January 7, 2017

Golez: Joint patrols by Indonesia and Australia in the South China Sea, as proposed by Indonesia, are a very welcome development.

Golez: Joint patrols by Indonesia and Australia in the South China Sea, as proposed by Indonesia, are a very welcome development. This is obviously in response to the over aggressiveness of China which is now triggering a coalition against China. The emerging alliance that now faces China is comprised of the US, Japan, Australia, India, Vietnam, Great Britain and now Indonesia whose Natuna Sea is also being threatened by China. The Philippines, bu reason of ideology, history and common security concern, logically belongs to this grouping of democratic, freedom loving nations. I quote from this Jakarta Globe article:

"Australia will mull plans proposed by Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu to launch joint naval patrols in the South China Sea, Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said on Tuesday (01/11).

"Ryamizard tipped the move on Friday following a 2+2 meeting in Bali between the defense minister and Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and their Australian counterparts, Bishop and Defense Minister Marise Payne.

“We have already suggested to Australia the possibility of conducting joint patrols in the eastern part of the South China Sea. We are sure that we will soon create a plan on how to realize it. They have more or less agreed,” Ryamizard told reporters on Friday.

"Australia has long supported freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, repeatedly calling on China to respect international law in the months since the Hague ruling in July which found in favor of the Philippines over China.

"Joint patrols would be “in accordance with international law and our support for peace and stability in the region,” Bishop told ABC radio on Tuesday."

Australia to Mull Proposed Joint Patrols in South China Seai
Jakarta Globe
Jakarta. Australia will mull plans proposed by Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu to launch joint naval patrols in the South China Sea, Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said on Tuesday (01/11).
Ryamizard tipped the move on Friday following a 2+2 meeting in Bali between the defense minister and Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and their Australian counterparts, Bishop and Defense Minister Marise Payne.
“We have already suggested to Australia the possibility of conducting joint patrols in the eastern part of the South China Sea. We are sure that we will soon create a plan on how to realize it. They have more or less agreed,” Ryamizard told reporters on Friday.
Australia has long supported freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, repeatedly calling on China to respect international law in the months since the Hague ruling in July which found in favor of the Philippines over China.
Joint patrols would be “in accordance with international law and our support for peace and stability in the region,” Bishop told ABC radio on Tuesday.
“We have agreed to explore options to increase maritime cooperation and of course that would include coordinated activities in the South China Sea and the Sulu Sea.”
Joint patrols between the neighboring countries are nothing new with established ties in the Timor Sea, which itself is under dispute with the Hague Tribunal expected to rule on the case between claimants Timor Leste and Australia.

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