China defends patrol in Indonesian waters: Video
Indonesia announced on Thursday, October 24, that it had driven a Chinese coast guard vessel out of contested waters in the North Natuna Sea twice in recent days.
Indonesia's Maritime Security Agency reported that the Chinese vessel first entered the disputed waters on Monday, October 21, interrupting a seismic survey conducted by the state-owned oil company, Pertamina.
When contacted by Indonesian patrol ships, the Chinese crew claimed the area was under Beijing's jurisdiction. Despite these assertions, Indonesian coast guard and navy ships managed to drive the Chinese vessel away.
This was further asserted by the country's foreign ministry when its spokesman, Lin Jian told reporters on Thursday that "China's coast guard vessels carried out routine patrols in waters under China's jurisdiction in accordance with international and domestic law. China is willing to strengthen communication and consultation with Indonesia through diplomatic channels to properly resolve maritime issues between the two countries."
The Chinese ship re-entered the area on Wednesday, prompting another intervention by Indonesian forces.
This series of encounters highlights Indonesia's increasing vigilance in protecting its maritime rights, especially under the leadership of newly inaugurated President Prabowo Subianto, who has pledged to bolster the defence of Indonesian territory.
The South China Sea remains a strategic and economically significant area, with multiple Southeast Asian nations contesting China's expansive claims. Indonesia, while not having a formal territorial dispute with China, has become increasingly protective of its rights in the region.
