Indonesian President Joko Widido is urging Australia to join Indonesia in naval patrols of the South China Sea to deter illegal Chinese expansionism.

Widido made this call after his country and neighboring Australia, which together have the most powerful militaries in Southeast Asia, on Feb. 26 restored full military ties partially suspended in January after the discovery by Indonesian military officers of what Indonesia termed as "offensive materials" concerning Papua New Guinea.

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Lt. Gen. Angus John Campbell DSC, AM, the Chief of Army of the Australian Army, on Feb 8 met with Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo, commander of Indonesian National Armed Forces, to apologize for the training materials found at a Perth military base that were offensive to Indonesia.

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced the restoration of full military cooperation alongside Widodo, who arrived in Australia on Feb. 25 for his first visit as president.

"President Widodo and I have agreed to full restoration of defense cooperation, training exchanges and activities," said Turnbull.

Widodo later said he would like to see joint patrols between the Indonesian Navy and the Royal Australian Navy in the South China Sea.

China illegally claims almost the South China Sea as part of its nine-dash line, and continues to assert its sovereignty despite a ruling to the contrary issued on July 12, 2016 by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.

Widido is miffed by China's continuing claim China has "overlapping claims" with Indonesia to the Natuna Sea and the Natuna Islands Archipelago that lie only 780 km from Kalimantan (or Indonesian Borneo) compared to 1,800 km from China's Hainan Island, the southernmost part of China.

Widodo and Turnbull didn't immediately announce joint patrols on Feb. 25, but emphasized the importance of resolving disputes peacefully and in accordance with international law such as the ruling made by the Permanent Court of Arbitration and the rules promulgated by UNCLOS or the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

TagsPresident Joko Widido, Indonesia, Australia, South China Sea, Chinese expansionism, Indonesian navy, Royal Australian Navy