Indonesia caused a stir last month when it issued a joint statement with China pledging to develop projects "in the overlapping waters claimed by the two countries", in what was widely interpreted as rare recognition of China's sweeping territorial claim in the South China Sea.

Indonesia still does not recognize Beijing's claims to the South China Sea, Foreign Minister Sugiono said on Monday, seeking to dismiss concerns that a recent joint statement with China could jeopardize its sovereignty.

Sugiono has played down the significance of a joint statement that appeared to recognize China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea.