Prabowo's comments, made while he was in Washington on Wednesday, came after his foreign ministry stressed that Indonesia does not recognize China's claims over the South China Sea despite signing a maritime deal with Beijing last weekend.

The president said Jakarta will safeguard its sovereignty in the contested waterway days after signing a maritime deal with Beijing.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said he would "always safeguard our sovereignty" when asked about the issue of South China Sea, adding partnerships are better than conflicts and that "we respect all powers.

China's embassy warned the Philippines to cease any "unilateral actions" after Manila brought in two new maritime laws meant to define territory, sea lanes and air routes. "China will continue to take necessary measures in accordance with the law to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights,

China is stepping up pressure on the Philippines to concede its sovereign rights in the South China Sea, Manila's Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said on Tuesday after meeting his Australian counterpart in Canberra.