Indonesia Ready to Work on Code of Conduct for the South China Sea

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi confirmed today that her country is ready to work with other ASEAN member states to finalize the long-awaited Code of Conduct for the South China Sea, where many of its neighbors’ claims overlap with China. Retno stated at a joint press conference with her Philippine counterpart Enrique Manalo in Manila, "Regarding the South China Sea, Indonesia is ready to work with all ASEAN member states including the Philippines to finalize the Code of Conduct as soon as possible." ASEAN and China have been trying for years to establish a framework to negotiate the Code of Conduct, a plan that dates back to 2002. However, progress has been slow despite commitments from all parties to advance and expedite the process.