FSI Appreciates Indonesian Navy's Quick Response in Natuna

VIVA English – The quick response of the Indonesian Navy, which deployed its fleet to guard and shadow the China Coast Guard patrol ship that entered the territorial waters of the Indonesian Exclusive Economic Zone around the Natuna islands a few days ago, garnered praise.

Chairman of the Indonesian Sinology Forum (FSI), Johanes Herlijanto said that this case had occurred repeatedly, since more than a decade ago.

"They often even intervene when the Indonesian authorities try to enforce the law against fishermen from China who carry out illegal fishing in the area," he said, quoted on Sunday, January 22, 2023.

Johanes said that at the end of 2021 several Chinese Coast Guard ships also visited the Tuna Block oil exploration area which is in the Indonesian Exclusive Economic Zone and disrupted the drilling process in the area.

The high intensity of the presence of Chinese Coast Guard ships in Indonesia's EEZ in Natuna waters needs serious attention.

According to him, China has repeatedly made statements showing that they do feel they have rights in the Natuna waters. Their claim to part of Indonesia's EEZ in Natuna waters is actually related to China's claim in the South China Sea, which is currently marked with nine nine-dash lines.

The root of the problem emerged in 1993, when China published a map that included nine dotted lines. Because some of the lines above target Indonesia's EEZ in the waters near the Natuna Islands, Indonesia raised questions to China.

China's answer, which has always been consistent to this day, is that the Natuna Islands belong to Indonesia, and that China has no territorial disputes with Indonesia.

"It is important for all Indonesian people to understand this fact, and support the efforts of the Indonesian state and government to guard the sovereignty and sovereign rights of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia in the Natuna Waters, which are rich in fish and energy resources under the sea," concluded John