By : Agus *)
Indonesian President, Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has began a official visit to Japan. Both countries hope the trip will strengthen the strategic partnership particularly defense cooperation.
As known, the two governments will sign a commit on defense cooperation that will involve Japanese capacity-building assistance for Indonesian force. The accord include bilateral cooperation in peacekeeping missions, defense equipment development and exchange of military information according to Japanese and Indonesian officials.
“It is significant that Japan is Mr. Jokowi’s first foreign travel destination outside the Association of Southeast Asian Nations [ASEAN] solely for a bilateral summit since he became president last October,” a Japanese Foreign Ministry official said.
Abe and Jokowi reconfirm cooperation in maritime security at a time when Indonesia is vowing to serve as a point of balance between the Pacific and the Indian Ocean under Jokowi’s maritime axis doctrine that calls for eliminating sources of conflict at sea such as piracy and violations of sovereignty.
In the context of ensuring regional peace and stability, the two leaders plan to urge China and several ASEAN member states such as the Philippines and Vietnam to address territorial disputes in the South China Sea based on international law, the Japanese and Indonesian officials said.
Tokyo has no territorial claims in the South China Sea, but worries about becoming isolated should China dominate a waterway through which much of Japan’s ship-borne trade passes.
Previously before depart to Japan, Jokowi spoken at press conference that he expected his planned visit would lead to concrete trade and investment cooperation with Japan, with resulting capital inflows to Indonesia, particularly in areas related to infrastructure, seaports, airports, power plants, railways and toll roads.
After the trip in Japan, Jokowi will led to China to meet Chinese President, Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the forum in Beijing last year. Meanwhile, Indonesia and China have a more developed military relationship and Jakarta has already bought Chinese-made missiles and other military hardware.
*) The Author Is Brunei Darussalm’s Contributor
