CHINA/INDONESIA/JAMES MATTIS/NATIONAL SECURITY: “U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis pushed for more extensive security ties Tuesday [1-23-18] with strategically located Indonesia, part of new drive to shore up Southeast Asian countries against intimidation by China in the South China Sea.
Mr. Mattis is making a short tour that will also take him to Vietnam, days after he described China as using ‘predatory economics’ to extend control over its smaller neighbors. He will also travel to Pacific Command in Hawaii, where he meets South Korea’s defense minister…
Jakarta drew Beijing’s ire last year when it named the southern fringes of the South China Sea after the Natunas island chain and stepped up a drive to build airstrips, a fishing industry and security patrols there to consolidate its hold on the territory. President Joko Widodo took the symbolic move of holding a cabinet meeting on a navy ship there.
The move reflected heightened concern after China in recent years established control over outlying islands claimed by smaller states in the South China Sea, often by using its fishing fleet and then armed coast guard vessels. It has reclaimed land and built up military-level facilities on some islands.
The U.S. and Indonesia have long maintained security ties, including conducting exercises together. In 2015, the nations upgraded bilateral ties to the level of a strategic partnership. Mr. Mattis also said the U.S. was open to expanding counterterrorism ties with Indonesia.”
-Ben Otto, “Mattis Pushes Stronger Ties With Indonesia, Vietnam,” The Wall Street Journal online, Jan. 23, 2018 08:59am