BEIJING. Indonesia has asked China to be more patient in handling the South China Sea dispute to maintain regional security stability, peace and prosperity.

“With the Chinese principle of maintaining harmonious relations, Indonesia, especially the Indonesian Military [TNI], is hopeful that China will be more patient in resolving the South China Sea dispute,” TNI chief Gen. Moeldoko said in Beijing on Wednesday, as reported by Antara news agency.

During a meeting with Chinese Central Military Commission vice chairman, Gen. Fang Changlon, Moeldoko asserted Indonesia’s neutrality in the South China Sea dispute.

“The TNI has continued to monitor developments,” Moeldoko said.

“Indonesia has not sided with any claimant in the disputed waters.”

He added that the TNI was upbeat that Beijing could solve the South China Sea problem through dialogue and by applying China’s harmony principle .

China has claimed most of the South China Sea, pitting itself against other claimants: Brunei, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan. China also claims parts of Indonesia’s Natuna Islands.

Meanwhile, Fang said that China was against internationalization efforts and third-party interventions.

“Internationalization efforts and third-party interventions will only make things worse.” he said.

“Therefore, we agreed to prioritize bilateral dialogue between claimant countries.”

Fang added that China expected ASEAN countries involved in the dispute to resolve things in accordance with the agreed Declaration of Conduct (DoC). (nvn)

Editor: Asnil Amri