China Praises Indonesia For South China Sea Conflict

Beijing, Jan 11 (ANTARA) - The China Military Centre (CMC) has lauded Indonesia for its efforts in helping resolve the South China Sea conflict peacefully, according to CMC deputy chairman Gen Fang Chang Long. He expressed appreciation for Indonesia`s efforts while receiving Indonesian deputy defence minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin here on Friday. According to Fang Chang Long, Indonesia has long offered a peaceful solution, in the form of dialogue, to the dispute over Spratly islands in South China Sea. The dispute involves China, Taiwan, and four ASEAN countries � Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam. Meanwhile, Sjamsoeddin said Indonesia was observing the developments with regard to the South China Sea dispute because �the conflict could affect regional stability�. He stated that Indonesia would continue to play an active role in maintaining regional peace and stability, particularly in the South China Sea region. "Both Indonesia and China must contribute to maintaining peace in the Asia-Pacific region," Sjamsoeddin pointed out. "Indonesia has showed its commitment to the cause over a period of 21 years, during which it has conducted workshops on South China Sea in an effort to create regional peace and stability," he continued. "We have noticed that China is also trying to play a positive role in resolving the South China Sea conflict," Sjamsoeddin added.