Indonesia Says South China Sea Incidents Underscore ASEAN's Relevance

Indonesia believes that incidents in the South China Sea increasingly underscore the importance and relevance of ASEAN in managing regional dynamics, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Spokesperson Vahd Nabyl A. Mulachela stated during a media briefing in Jakarta on Thursday that Indonesia encourages the resolution of conflicts in the South China Sea through peaceful dialogue and diplomacy, based on international law, including UNCLOS. He added that ASEAN continues to push for the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea to be finalised this year effectively and substantively, grounded in international law, particularly the 1982 UNCLOS. Responding to questions regarding ASEAN’s relations with Australia and China, Nabyl stated that both countries are partners of ASEAN and, in their interactions, are expected to adhere to mutually agreed principles. These principles refer to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, and the ASEAN Charter, which serve as the primary foundation for building relations and cooperation between ASEAN and its partners. On 20 July, the Philippine military accused China of aggression in the South China Sea, alleging that Chinese Coast Guard personnel struck a Philippine Navy member with a wooden stick, causing physical injury. The Chinese Coast Guard responded by accusing the Philippines of deliberate provocation and distorting facts, stating that a Philippine vessel had intentionally rammed a Chinese patrol ship and that personnel on board had attacked Chinese Coast Guard officers with oars and long poles. On 22 July, Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro lodged a strong protest with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi over the unacceptable actions in the disputed waters. She wrote on X that she met with Wang Yi on the sidelines of an ASEAN meeting for an open discussion about Philippines-China relations and reiterated their strong protest over the unacceptable actions against Philippine personnel near Ayungin Shoal.