China Urges Caution Over Indonesia–US Defense Pact

RRI.CO.ID, Beijing - China has called on Indonesia and the United States to ensure their newly signed defense cooperation agreement does not harm other countries or undermine regional stability.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun, speaking at a press briefing in Beijing on Friday, April 17, 2026, stressed that defense partnerships should not target third parties or disrupt peace in Southeast Asia.

“Defense and security cooperation between countries must not be directed against any third party or harm their interests. Such cooperation should not disturb regional peace and stability,” he said, as quoted by Antara.

His remarks followed the signing of the Major Defense Cooperation Partnership (MDCP) between Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon on April 13.

Among the proposals discussed was “overflight clearance,” which would allow US aircraft to pass through Indonesian airspace without landing. Overflight clearance refers to authorization granted by a country’s civil aviation authority for foreign aircraft to transit its airspace without landing.

Guo cited ASEAN’s Charter and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, which obligate member states to act collectively to safeguard peace and refrain from policies that threaten sovereignty. He noted Indonesia has also affirmed that any defense cooperation will be based on mutual respect, trust, and benefit.

Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry clarified that the US request for overflight clearance remains under review and has not been approved.

Spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang emphasized that no foreign party has unrestricted access to Indonesian airspace. “Overflight clearance is indeed a US proposal, but it is still under internal consideration. Any arrangement will remain within Indonesia’s sovereign framework and follow national procedures,” she said.

The MDCP is designed to expand bilateral defense ties strategically, covering capacity building, next-generation defense technology, operational readiness, professional military education, and stronger personnel exchanges.

Brig. Gen. Rico Ricardo Sirait of the Defense Ministry reiterated that Indonesia retains full authority over its airspace. He dismissed circulating claims that the US has already secured blanket access, clarifying that the draft agreement is still under discussion.

One clause under review would permit US aircraft to use Indonesian airspace for emergency operations, crisis response, and agreed training exercises. “The document currently circulating is only a draft under internal and interagency discussion,” he said. ***