Indonesia, which has a strategic position on the main sea route in the South China Sea, has rejected China's request for a military base.

Defence ministers from the two countries met at a meeting in Jakarta, Indonesian newspaper Kompas reported. China's request for a military base in Indonesia was also on the agenda. Indonesia's Defence Minister has told his Chinese counterpart that they will not accept the request for a military base.

Indonesia is unlikely to sign an agreement on a military base with any other country because it is following a policy based on national freedom, a military source said.

A US report on China in September this year said Beijing wanted to expand its access to overseas territories by opening bases in different countries.