Sosok.ID – Asia Times judging, Indonesia can be in the forefront, but its non-aligned status will be tested severely.
The media mentioned the visit of the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo forthcoming is to discuss how Indonesia and the US can work together towards a “free and open Indo-Pacific,” US construction to withstand “the threat China.”
The US has urged many Southeast Asian countries to join in its efforts to contain it China politically and militarily.
Indonesia, the de facto leader of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (PBB), can point the way for other bloc members in dealing with the seduction of the two superpowers.
The way to go is to “say no” to requests from the US and China that are considered contrary to its interests.
It is known that Indonesia recently firmly rejected US requests to refuel and serve American intelligence gathering aircraft targeting China.
This is consistent with Jakarta’s non-aligned policies and desire to remain neutral in the US-China struggle for regional domination.
Not only to the US, Indonesia has also said “no” to China.
In December 2019, when 63 Chinese fishing boats accompanied by three Coast Guard vessels entered the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) claimed by Indonesia off Natuna, Jakarta staged a strong protest and even sent warships and fighter jets to the area.
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