China's Response After Indonesia Signs Defence Cooperation Agreement with the US
China has spoken out regarding the defence cooperation agreement between Indonesia and the United States (US). China referenced the ASEAN Charter when discussing the agreement.
According to detikNews on Thursday (23/4/2026), Indonesia and the US have signed the Major Defence Cooperation Partnership (MDCP). The MDCP was signed by Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin during a meeting with US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on 13 March 2026.
The issue that has arisen concerns overflight clearance, which would allow US aircraft to use Indonesian airspace. The Indonesian side has stated that this is not included in the signed cooperation.
Spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Guo Jiakun, who was asked about this during a press conference in Beijing on 17 April, spoke up. He reminded of the ASEAN Charter.
“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 enhancing 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 quoted Indonesia’s statement that it will engage in defence cooperation with other countries on the basis of 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 the interests of third parties, nor harm regional peace and stability,” stated Guo Jiakun.
Statements from the Indonesian Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Previously, the Ministry of Defence dismissed the issue of overflight clearance being part of the MDCP. It emphasised that this is not in the agreement.
“That (the agreement on US aircraft flight permissions) is not in the MDCP,” said the Head of the Defence Information Bureau (Karo Infohan) of the Ministry of Defence Secretariat General, Brigadier General TNI Rico Ricardo Sirait, quoted from Antara on Tuesday (14/4).
Meanwhile, spokesperson for the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Yvonne Mewengkang on Thursday (16/8/2026) also emphasised that Indonesia does not have a policy to grant its airspace to foreign parties. She said that cooperation with other countries must prioritise Indonesian sovereignty.
“The government emphasises that there is no policy granting free access to foreign parties to use Indonesian airspace. Every 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.