Jakarta hails China support for Myanmar peace consensus

FOREIGN Minister Retno Marsudi said she appreciates China’s support for regional bloc Asean’s five-point peace consensus agreed to bring an end to hostilities in military-ruled Myanmar.

Retno was speaking after a meeting in Jakarta with Chinese counterpart Qin Gang.

“Indonesia sends its appreciation for China’s support for the five point consensus.

“(It) is the main reference for Asean to help Myanmar out of its political crises,” she said.

Myanmar has been trapped in a spiral of violence and instability since a coup in early 2021.

The Association of South-East Asian Nations, which Indonesia chairs this year, is increasingly frustrated with the junta’s unwillingness to follow steps outlined in the so-called consensus, an agreement made shortly after the coup that its top general signed up to.

“As Asean chair, Indonesia will engage with all stakeholders in Myanmar, with the goal of opening up an inclusive national dialogue in Myanmar,” she added.

The consensus remains the only process in play on the Myanmar crisis but many Western countries have become disillusioned by the failure to move it forward.

Retno also said negotiations on creating a code of conduct (COC) on the South China Sea, which has been two decades in the making, will be intensified.

“Indonesia and Asean would like to produce an effective, substantive and actionable (code of conduct),” she said.

Qin added that China and Indonesia will jointly safeguard the peace and stability of that waterway.

Indonesia is preparing to host a round of negotiations on the COC this year, the first taking place in March, Retno said after hosting a meeting of Asean foreign ministers earlier this month. — Reuters