"Indonesia continues to be actively involved in conflict resolution in the South China Sea through peaceful negotiations after."
This was the statement of President Joko Widodo during his state address on Tuesday before the Indonesia's 71st Independence Day.
"We continue to push for peaceful resolutions to international conflicts," he added.
The mention of the South China Sea dispute in Widodo's national address emphasizes the importance that Indonesia attaches to the Natuna Islands, one of the small islands in disputed South China Sea that is claimed by both China and Indonesia.
Earlier this year, the tension between both claimants increased after Jakarta rejected the request of China regarding the immediate release of eight Chinese trawlers who were detained by Indonesia's Coast Guard near the Natuna Islands.
Later, the visit of Indonesian President to the Natuna Islands on a naval warship was understood as Jakarta's claim of sovereignty over the disputed islands.
Recently, Indonesia strengthens the security around the Natuna Islands after an international tribunal ruling on the South Chinese Sea where in China's territorial claims on the disputed island was dismissed.
However, the Chinese government does not accept the verdict under any circumstances regardless of the international pressure. They even described it as a conspiracy by Western forces to deteriorate its control over the maritime territory.
