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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Conflict & Security

No Indonesian government representatives attend 10-year South China Sea Arbitration anniversary

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Indonesian government officials unexpectedly canceled their participation in a 10-year anniversary conference commemorating the South China Sea Arbitration ruling.
  • The conference, held in Jakarta and organized by FACTS Asia and Indonesian think tanks, marked a decade since the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in favor of the Philippines against China.
  • Despite prior confirmations and scheduled keynotes from Foreign Ministry directors and military officials, all government representatives withdrew shortly before the event, citing orders from superiors.

Indonesian government officials unexpectedly withdrew from a conference in Jakarta commemorating the 10th anniversary of the South China Sea Arbitration ruling, despite having confirmed their attendance and scheduled roles. The event, held on July 13-14, 2026, marked a decade since the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) delivered its landmark decision supporting the Philippines in its maritime dispute with China.

The conference was organized by FACTS Asia, a Philippine institution, in collaboration with several Indonesian think tanks. Prof. Arie Afriansyah, a conference organizer, expressed surprise at the last-minute cancellations. He noted that while government officials, including directors from the Foreign Ministry and military figures, were slated to deliver keynotes and speeches, they all suddenly pulled out shortly before the event began.

Indonesian government officials are not present. Even though they were previously scheduled to give keynotes and speeches.

— Prof. Arie AfriansyahDescribing the unexpected absence of Indonesian government representatives at the South China Sea Arbitration anniversary conference.

Afriansyah claimed the conference was meticulously prepared and had initially received support from various ministries, evidenced by the confirmed participation of government officials as speakers. However, this support was reportedly withdrawn just before the conference commenced. "Indonesian government officials are not present. Even though they were previously scheduled to give keynotes and speeches," Afriansyah stated, highlighting the absence of expected government representation.

The sudden withdrawal has raised questions about the government's stance on the arbitration ruling and its engagement with discussions surrounding the South China Sea dispute. The event aimed to bring together government officials and academics to reflect on the ruling's significance, but the absence of official Indonesian participation leaves a notable gap in the commemoration.

However, before the conference, we were informed that the support had been withdrawn.

— Prof. Arie AfriansyahExplaining the withdrawal of support from government ministries shortly before the event.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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