China, Indonesia to boost security ties despite South China Sea row

Chinese and Indonesian officials pledged to boost security ties, marine cooperation and infrastructure investment, after a diplomatic spat over what Indonesia called a breach of its sovereignty by the Chinese coastguard.

According to a report from the official Xinhua News Agency, the two countries will strengthen defense ties including anti-terrorism, law enforcement, curbing narcotics, as well as “marine cooperation”.

The report added that Jakarta and Beijing will also work together in the fields of railway, electric power, mining, aerospace, agriculture and fisheries.

The report came after a meeting between Chinese state councilor Yang Jiechi, who outranks the foreign minister, and Indonesia’s Chief Security Minister Luhut Pandjaitan.

While Indonesia is not embroiled in the rival claims with china over the South China Sea it sees itself as an “honest broker” in disputes between china and the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei.

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