Indonesia and Australia discuss joint naval patrols in the South China Sea - World Socialist Web Site
▻http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2016/11/02/auin-n02.html
Indonesia and Australia discuss joint naval patrols in the South China Sea
By Peter Symonds
2 November 2016
Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop yesterday confirmed that Australia and Indonesia are considering joint naval patrols in the South China Sea. Her comments followed a four-day visit to Indonesia last week, during which she met with Indonesian President Joko Widido and senior Indonesian ministers.
Speaking to Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio, Bishop sought to portray the mooted patrols as a routine part of the Australian navy’s operations. “This is a regular part of what our navy does,” she said. “This is part of our engagement in the region and this is in accordance with Australia’s right of freedom of navigation, including in the South China Sea.”