China-Indonesia Joint Statement Controversy: A New Chapter for the South China Sea?

Indriana Kartini, Sandy Nur Ikfal Raharjo and Khanisa

Journal of Borderlands Studies, 2025, vol. 40, issue 3, 791-799

Abstract: This paper highlights the recent controversy of the China-Indonesia joint statement in November 2024, which explicitly states “overlapping claims” referring to the maritime boundaries between the two countries in the South China Sea. Previously, Indonesia reaffirmed its stance as the non-claimant state in the South China Sea dispute. With the latest joint statement under Prabowo Subianto’s presidency, a concern was raised on the Indonesian position’s shift in the dispute, which might not only impact its national interest but also Southeast Asia’s regional stability, referring to Indonesia as the primus inter pares in ASEAN. This commentary explores Prabowo Subianto’s speeches and statements on the South China Sea over the past 10 years, during his terms as presidential candidate in 2014 and 2019, defense minister in 2019-24, and the president in 2024-9. The content analysis shows Prabowo’s preference to manage the South China Sea issue within a framework of cooperation instead of conflictual manner, with the possibility of prioritizing bilateral rather than regional approaches. The shift will likely impact the future of border dispute settlement in the South China Sea.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1080/08865655.2025.2504882

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