INDONESIA, U.S. BREAK GROUND ON STRATEGIC MARITIME CENTER

Indonesia and the United States have broken ground on a new $3.5 million maritime training center in the strategic area of Batam, in the Riau Islands, Indonesia's maritime security agency told Agustinus Beo Da Costa of Reuters.

Attending last week's ceremony virtually, the US ambassador to Indonesia, Sung Kim, said the maritime center would be part of ongoing efforts between the two countries to bolster security in the region.

Indonesia has long been miffed by the presence of Chinese Coast Guard ships and maritime militia boats in the Natunas, a group of islands within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and thousands of kilometers away from China.

"As a friend and partner to Indonesia, the United States remains committed to supporting Indonesia's important role in maintaining regional peace and security by fighting domestic and trans-national crimes," he said, according to a statement from Bakamla, Indonesia's maritime security agency.

The training center, located at the strategic meeting point of the Malacca Strait and the South China Sea, will be run by Bakamla and houses classrooms, barracks, and a launchpad, the agency said.

The U.S. collaboration with the world's largest archipelagic nation comes amid rising tensions in the South China Sea, with the Philippines protesting the presence of hundreds of Chinese vessels in the Spratly Islands this May.

Earlier this month, the foreign ministers of Southeast Asia and China agreed during a meeting to exercise restraint in the South China Sea and avoid actions that could escalate tensions.

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