Prabowo Corrects Issues About The South China Sea Claimed By The US

Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto (left) held a bilateral meeting with US Defense Secretary Lloyd James Austin III at the Pentagon Building, USA, Thursday, August 24. (ANTARA/HO-Kemenhan)

JAKARTA - Minister of Defense (Menhan) Prabowo Subianto straightened out the issue that he said he made a joint statement with the United States (US) Minister of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III regarding China's claims in the South China Sea.

Prabowo emphasized that this was false news.

"Yes, it is a statement, but there is no joint statement (joint statement) and no press conference (jumpa pers)," Prabowo said in response to reporters' questions when met at the Ministry of Defense Office, Jakarta, Thursday, August 31, which was confiscated by Antara.

Last week, Defense Minister Prabowo visited the US and met with the US Defense Minister. The Minister of Defense also witnessed the signing of a cooperation document between the Indonesian and US defense industries regarding the procurement of F-15EX fighter aircraft and the Sikorsky S-70M Black Hawk helicopter.

In his meeting with the US Defense Minister, Prabowo discussed the continuation of the defense cooperation that had existed between the two countries, including exploring opportunities to expand the scope of cooperation. The two ministers also discussed security issues in the region.

After the meeting, the US Ministry of Defense on Thursday, August 24 issued an official broadcast that said two ministers shared views on China's claim of maritime expansion'' in the South China Sea. In its official broadcast, the US Ministry of Defense called the claim inconsistent with international law as regulated in the United Nations Convention on Marine Hukun (UNCLOS).

In the same broadcast, the US Ministry of Defense also said two ministers condemned Russia's aggression in Ukraine.

However, Prabowo emphasized that there was no joint statement after his meeting with the US Defense Minister.

"The important thing, I underline, is that we (Indonesia) have a very good relationship with China (China). We respect each other and understand each other. I convey that in America. We are very friends with China, we really appreciate America and we are friends with Russia. Indonesia's position is very clear that we are non-aligned. We are non-blocks. We are friends with all countries, "said Prabowo.

On the same occasion, he mentioned his plans to also visit Moscow, Russia and Beijing, China this year.

"I am going to Moscow, I also received an invitation to Beijing in October. God willing, I was invited there, and we want to be friends of all countries, maybe even we can become a bridge between all," Prabowo said.