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China worries may boost Indonesia defence spending to $20 billion/year - official

2014-12-10 09:01:19       source:Reuters

December 9, 2014


"Indonesia's defence spending could grow to $20 billion (£12.75 billion) a year by 2019 to protect its sovereignty, including an area of the South ChinaSea near China's claims, an adviser to new Indonesian President Joko Widodo said on Tuesday.


Luhut Panjaitan, a former commander of Indonesia's special forces, said Jakarta had no plans to use force to resolve territorial disputes in the South China Sea and would continue to promote dialogue between Beijing and its regional rivals.


But he said it was important to strengthen the Indonesian military to protect national interests, including Natuna - a scattering of 157 mostly uninhabited islands off the northwest coast of Borneo that are rich in oil, gas and fish."


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http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/12/09/uk-china-southchinasea-indonesia-idUKKBN0JN2NS20141209