In a Japanese version of the interview with Yomiuri, a major Japanese newspaper, published on Sunday, Joko rejected one of Beijing's main claims to the South China Sea. "The 'nine-dashed line' that China asserts has no basis in any international law," said Widodo. This comment come as he embarks on a visit to Japan and China and is the first time he has taken a position on the issue since coming to power in October.
The president was not speaking on China's overall claim on the South China Sea, but only its nine-dash dotted line that stretches deep into the maritime heart of Southeast Asia, his foreign policy adviser Rizal Sukma told Reuters on Monday.
"In 2009, Indonesia sent its official stance on the issue to the U.N. commission on the delimitation of the continental shelf, stating that the nine-dotted line has no basis in international law," said Sukma. "So, nothing changes."
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