China Requests Indonesia-US Defence Agreement Not Harm Other Parties
China has spoken out regarding the Major Defense Cooperation Partnership (MDCP) between Indonesia and the United States. China requests that defence cooperation between countries does not harm other parties.
As is known, the MDCP was signed by Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin during a meeting with US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on 13 March 2026. The issue of official overflight clearance requested by the US, allowing its aircraft to traverse Indonesian airspace, was widely discussed. Indonesia has stated that this remains an internal government consideration and is not part of the signed cooperation.
Spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Guo Jiakun, addressed this during a press conference in Beijing on 17 April 2026.
“The ASEAN Charter and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia clearly stipulate that ASEAN countries must act in accordance with the principles of collective responsibility in promoting regional peace, security, and prosperity, and must refrain from participating in any policies or activities, including the use of their territory, that threaten the sovereignty or territorial integrity of ASEAN Member States,” said Guo Jiakun, as quoted from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
Guo Jiakun cited Indonesia’s statement that it will engage in defence cooperation with other countries based on mutual respect, sovereignty, mutual trust, and mutual benefit.
“China has always believed that defence and security cooperation between countries must not target third parties or harm third-party interests, nor should it harm regional peace and stability,” stated Guo Jiakun.
Statements from Indonesian Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Previously reported, the Ministry of Defence has affirmed that the overflight clearance issue is not included in the MDCP.
“That (agreement for US aircraft flight permissions) is not in the MDCP,” said the Head of Defence Information Bureau (Karo Infohan) of the Ministry of Defence Secretariat General, Brigadier General TNI Rico Ricardo Sirait, quoted from Antara, Tuesday (14/4/2026).
Meanwhile, spokesperson for the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yvonne Mewengkang, on Thursday (16/8/2026) stated there is no policy to grant free access to Indonesian airspace to foreign parties. She said cooperation with other countries must prioritise Indonesian sovereignty.
“The government affirms that there is no policy granting free access to foreign parties to use Indonesian airspace. Any form of cooperation arrangement, including with the United States, remains within the framework of full Indonesian sovereignty and still requires applicable national mechanisms and procedures,” she said.