China Warns Indonesia Over Agreement on Blanket Overflight Clearance with the US
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BEIJING – The controversy surrounding the US request for blanket overflight clearance to Indonesia has drawn attention from China. Beijing has warned that this could violate the ASEAN Charter regarding not infringing on the sovereignty of third parties.
This was stated by spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Guo Jiakun, when commenting on Indonesia’s consideration of the proposal to grant permission for US military aircraft to fly over Indonesian territory and the military relations between Washington and Jakarta.
Guo Jiakun said on Friday that the ASEAN Charter and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia explicitly stipulate that member countries share the responsibility to strengthen regional peace, security, and prosperity.
The Charter also states that member countries shall not participate in any policy or activity, including the use of their territory, that threatens the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other member countries.
“We consistently believe that defence and security cooperation between countries should not target or harm the interests of any third party, nor should it affect regional peace and stability,” Guo said, as quoted by the Chinese government mouthpiece, Global Times.
Indonesia’s position is important in this context because it is located at the southern entrance to the South China Sea near the Natuna Islands. Geographically, Indonesia lies directly on the route connecting the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean.
From Indonesian airspace, military aircraft could reach various key points in Southeast Asia, including the South China Sea area.
This sea is an arena of influence competition between the United States and China. China claims most of its territory, while several countries such as the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei also have overlapping claims.
China seeks control of the South China Sea to expand its defence area to the south. Meanwhile, the United States has an interest in keeping the sea as a free navigation route for its military manoeuvres from the Pacific to the Middle East, for example.