In this undated photo released by the Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (BAKAMLA), a maritime security agency uses binoculars to monitor the movement of a Chinese coast guard vessel in the waters of the North Natuna Sea in the disputed area of the South China Sea, Indonesia, on 24 October 2024 | Photo: AP
A Chinese coast guard vessel was kicked out of Indonesian waters for the second time this week after initially interfering with state energy firm Pertamina’s exploration in the South China Sea, Indonesia’s maritime security agency said on Thursday (Oct 24, 2024).
While Chinese coast guard vessels have been spotted repeatedly in Indonesia’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), the latest incidents occurred just days after Prabowo Subianto assumed the presidency of Indonesia.
China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea through a “nine-dash line” on its maps that cuts into the 200-nautical-mile EEZ of Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam.
The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in 2016 said China’s claim had no basis under international law, a decision Beijing does not recognize.
The incidents took place off the Indonesian Natuna Islands, about 1,500 km from the Chinese island of Hainan. The exact locations were not immediately clear.
The Chinese vessel on Monday insisted that the area was under China’s jurisdiction, Indonesia’s maritime security agency, known as Bakamla, said in a statement.
“Bakamla will continue to patrol and intensively monitor the waters of North Natuna to ensure that seismic data collection can proceed without interrupting Indonesia’s sovereignty,” the agency said on Monday (Oct 21, 2024).
On Thursday, the Chinese vessel was said to have returned but was intercepted and driven away again. No details are provided on what the ship is doing.
Lin Jian, a spokesman for China’s foreign ministry, said the coast guard was conducting “routine cruises in waters under China’s jurisdiction in accordance with international law and national law.”
The spokesman added that China is willing to step up consultations with Indonesia “to properly deal with maritime issues between the two countries.”
China asserts its sovereignty claims with an armada of coast guard ships stationed in the South China Sea, some of which are accused by its neighbors of aggressive behavior and attempts to disrupt energy and fishing activities.
In 2021 vessels from Indonesia and China shadowed each other for months near a submersible oil rig that was assessing a well in the Natuna Sea. At the time, China called on Indonesia to stop drilling in its territory.
The latest incidents came as Indonesia’s new defense minister, Syafri Syamsoedin, met with the Chinese ambassador in Jakarta on Thursday.
A defense ministry statement said Mr Sjafrie expected to strengthen defense cooperation with China, including joint exercises. It does not mention this week’s maritime incidents.
Published – October 24, 2024, 2:36 p.m. IST
