China’s Jakarta Courtship Spurs Defense Pushback in the Indo-Pacific
Japan, Australia, and Indonesia committed to deepening security cooperation just days after Beijing’s series of meetings with Jakarta.
TL;DR
- China is attempting to increase its influence in the South China Sea through engagement with Indonesia.
- Japan and Australia are strengthening defense ties with Indonesia to counter China's maritime ambitions.
- The inaugural China-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Dialogue Mechanism and Second Ministerial Meeting of China-Indonesia Joint Foreign and Defense Dialogue were held in Jakarta.
- Chinese and Indonesian foreign and defense ministers agreed to deepen defense and military ties.
- Cooperation in energy and mineral resources was also pledged.