The LCS Dispute, Indonesia: UNCLOS The Only Legal Basis

JAKARTA – Indonesia want to see the area South China Sea (LCS) peaceful and stable, where internationally recognized international principles are upheld, including the 1982 UNCLOS. This was expressed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi. ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).

“UNCLOS 1982 is the only basis for determining maritime entitlements, sovereignty and sovereign rights, jurisdiction and legitimite interest in waters and seas,” said Retno, in an accepted release. Sindonews, Saturday (12/9/2020).

Retno specifically revealed that she referred to the results of the 53rd ASEAN Foreign Ministers Joint Communique which emphasized that the 1982 UNCLOS was the international legal framework for all activities in waters and seas. In addition, The Code of Conduct in the South China Sea must be consistent with international law, including UNCLOS 1982.(Also read: China Pressures ASEAN Ahead of Important South China Sea Negotiations)

On that occasion, Retno also conveyed the importance of ARF to remain and always relevant to strengthen cooperation between countries to face challenges in an increasingly complex region.

Tensions in the South China Sea are nearing boiling point after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in July dismissed China’s claim to 90 percent of the South China Sea as wholly unlawful. Pompeo then provided support to other plaintiffs such as Vietnam, Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Taiwan.(Also read: Pompeo to ASEAN: Don’t Let the Chinese Communist Party Trample Us)

In recent weeks, Beijing has been scrambling to counter Washington’s efforts and shore up ties with major Asian and European powers amid fears of a new Cold War between the world’s two largest economies.

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