Spotlight from China: Defence Ministry Affirms Indonesia-US Agreement to Maintain Regional Stability
China has highlighted the Major Defense Cooperation Partnership (MDCP) between Indonesia and the United States, cautioning that the collaboration should not disadvantage other parties in the region. The Ministry of Defence (Kemhan) has emphasised that Indonesia’s defence cooperation remains oriented towards peace and regional stability.
“What we can convey is that Indonesia conducts defence cooperation based on principles of mutual respect, not targeted at any particular party, and remains oriented towards peace and regional stability,” said the Head of the Defence Information Bureau (Karo Infohan) of the Kemhan Secretariat General, Brigadier General TNI Rico Ricardo Sirait, to reporters on Friday (24/4/2026).
Rico stated that the Indonesian government conducts defence cooperation with any country based on its free and active foreign policy. The Indonesian government, he continued, also guarantees the sovereignty of every country.
“For Indonesia, defence cooperation with any country is always placed within the framework of free and active foreign policy, national interests, and full respect for state sovereignty,” he said.
China’s Spotlight
China previously responded to the establishment of the Major Defense Cooperation Partnership (MDCP) signed by Indonesia and the United States. China requested that inter-state defence cooperation should not harm other parties.
As known, the MDCP was signed by Minister of Defence Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin during a meeting with US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth on 13 March 2026. The issue of official overflight clearance requested by the US for its aircraft to transit Indonesian airspace was widely discussed. Indonesia has stated that this remains under internal government consideration and is not part of the signed cooperation.
Spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Guo Jiakun, was asked about 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 principles of collective responsibility in enhancing regional peace, security, and prosperity, and 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 inter-state defence and security cooperation must not target third parties or harm third-party interests, and must not undermine regional peace and stability,” stated Guo Jiakun.