Praise for Beijing draws call for unity across Asia

China said it will work with all related parties for peace and prosperity in the South China Sea after a leading Indonesian official praised China's willingness to maintain peace in Asia.

Ryamizard Ryacudu, the Indonesian defense minister, told the Raisina Dialogue 2018 in New Delhi on Thursday that the situation in the South China Sea is easing and such momentum needs to be maintained, according to the National Herald newspaper in India.

He also expressed his appreciation for "the goodwill of China to be more open and over its willingness to cooperate in maintaining the security structure in the region".