REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, TOKYO -- Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has called for the implementation and finalization of the Code of Conduct (CoC) in the South China Sea.

During his visit to Japan, President Jokowi clarified his statement on the South China Sea, which was reported by Reuters and a number of Japanese media, including the Yomiuri, on Monday.

"I need to say that Indonesia is not among the disputing parties. We just want to encourage the implementation and finalization of the Code of Conduct," President Jokowi said.

The president noted that if needed, Indonesia will play a good mediator in the dispute over the South China Sea.

"If necessary, we are ready to be a good mediator. I just said that," he noted while responding to local media reports on his statement.

According to a Reuters report as quoted by Yomiuri newspaper, Jokowi stated that the Chinese claims to the majority of the South China Sea had "no legal foundation in international law."

"We need peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. It is important to have political stability and security to build our economic growth," Jokowi remarked during an interview with numerous media houses in Japan on Sunday.

A number of countries, including China and Indonesia's neighbors in Southeast Asia, are involved in a dispute over the South China Sea.

However, according to Jokowi, political stability and security were important for economic growth.

"Therefore, we support the South China Sea Code of Conduct and dialogues between China and Japan and China and ASEAN," President Jokowi remarked.

Asked if there has been a statement from China about his remarks on the South China Sea, Jokowi said, "no."

The president added that he is ready to explain when he visits China on Wednesday and Thursday.

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