Armidale Class Patrol Boat HMAS Wollongong sails in-company with Indonesian Naval vessel KRI Sampari at Exercise Cassowary. (Photo : Royal Australian Navy)
A stunning blow to China's unlawful claim to own the South China Sea was delivered by Indonesia and Australia, both of which might soon begin joint patrols of this strategic but highly volatile waterway.
China hasn't budged a millimeter from its claim to own this sea despite being told this claim is patently illegal and unlawful by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague that handed out a ruling against China last July 12 in a case filed by the Philippines.
China, however, has drawn strength from the pro-China stand of the Philippines' new president, Rodrigo Duterte, a known communist sympathizer who's also believed to be a member of the Philippine communist party.
With the Philippines no longer in play as a Chinese foe, both Indonesia and Australia have become more vulnerable to China since their northern sea flank is left open to military exploitation by China.
Indonesian Minister of Defense Ryamizard Ryacudu said he had proposed a "peace patrol" with Australia in the South China Sea to "bring peace" and combat illegal fishing when the two countries' defense ministers met in Bali last week.
"It's a joint patrol or coordinated patrol, it's the same thing," said Ryamizard. "There are no intentions to disrupt the relationship (with China). It is called a peace patrol, it brings peace. It is about protecting fish in each other's areas."
Australian Minister of Defense Marise Payne said she and Ryamizard agreed to explore options to increase maritime cooperation.
"This could include coordinated activities in the South China Sea and the Sulu Sea consistent with Australia's policy of exercising rights of freedom of navigation in accordance with international law and our support for regional security," she said.
Joint patrols will antagonize China, which has militarized natural islands or its man-made islands in the South China Sea.
Australia, however, vowed to continue to exercise the right of freedom of navigation in the South China Sea after the ruling.
Last March, ships from the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and the Tentara Nasional Indonesia-Angkatan Laut (or Indonesian Navy) completed bilateral Exercise Cassowary, an important training activity for the two navies, off Darwin
Both navies rehearsed combined maritime surveillance patrols and tested their core mariner skills. This involved everything from communication and safety drills through to boarding operations.
"Conducting regular exercises with our colleagues from the Indonesian Navy is important as it enhances our ability to operate together. It's also a great chance for us to build friendships and undertake professional exchanges," said RAN.
RAN and the Indonesian Navy conduct several exercises with a maritime security focus, including Cassowary and Exercise New Horizon, as well as annual coordinated maritime security patrols.
