Indonesia's Stance in South China Sea Fishing Disputes

Indonesia's strong response to China's fishing activities signals a shift in its role in South China Sea disputes.

### Tensions Rise in the South China Sea: Indonesia's Bold Stance Against Chinese Fishing Vessels
* 🌊 Recently, a Chinese fishing vessel was involved in an incident with Indonesian authorities in the Natuna Sea, which has sparked discussions about **territorial rights** in the region.
* ⚓ Historically, the Nine-dash line claimed by China overlaps with Indonesia's Exclusive Economic Zone, but Indonesia has typically remained **uninvolved in South China Sea disputes**.
* 🚢 Unlike a previous incident in 2013 where a Chinese patrol ship aggressively demanded the release of a Chinese vessel, the recent confrontation saw the Chinese coast guard **ramming the fishing boat** after it was ordered to leave.
* 🇮🇩 Indonesia has summoned China's ambassador over this incident, marking a **significant diplomatic move** for a country that relies heavily on China as its **largest trading partner**.
* 📜 Despite China's insistence on traditional fishing grounds, it does not dispute Indonesia's sovereignty over the Natuna Islands, which **adds complexity to the situation**.
* 🤔 The incident raises questions about Indonesia's future role in the South China Sea, especially as it seeks to **promote peace** while facing **increasing tensions**.
* 🛑 Indonesia's commitment to non-militarization is challenged by **China's military activities in the area**, complicating their stance further.
* 🌏 As the South China Sea becomes increasingly volatile, Indonesia's actions may **influence regional dynamics** and its relationships with other nations involved in the dispute.

On this episode of China Uncensored, just when you thought it couldn't get any more complicated than a territorial dispute between China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and the Philippines, well... Indonesia had to show up like a...seventh wheel. Hi, welcome to China Uncensored, I'm your maritime mariner, Chris Chappell. The South China Sea is becoming a powder keg! And who is to blame?! It is exactly one country and let me not avoid mentioning the name: that is, the Philippines… Well, umm, I don't think that's really… We are on high alert for Japan's moves in the South China Sea. Ok, no, it's not Japan this time either. I suggest to the media that in your reports you not selectively pump up or ignore things. Okay, fine! Everyone's stirring up trouble in the South China Sea! In fact, there is only one country not stirring up trouble:

Indonesia. And lastly, I reiterate that Indonesia is not a claimant state in the South China Sea issue. Finally! A country actually not involved in the South China Sea dispute! It's almost too good to be true! On March 19, the Chinese fishing boat was attacked by an Indonesian armed boat. Oh. It was too good to be true. You see, on Saturday, Indonesian authorities attacked a Chinese fishing vessel in traditional Chinese fishing grounds. Of course, by attack, the Chinese Foreign Ministry means Indonesia fired warning shots into the air while approaching the Chinese vessel that was fishing there illegally. And by traditional Chinese fishing grounds, they mean Indonesia's Exclusive Economic Zone, located within 200 miles around the Natuna Islands. Don't worry, I didn't know what the Natuna Islands were either. Apparently, they're here, outside the giant area of the South China Sea covered by China's

ridiculously large. I mean, historically accurate Nine-dash line. But a small part of the 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone around the Natuna islands does overlap with the Nine-dash line. Fortunately, Saturday's incident is nothing like what happened back in 2013 when Indonesian authorities caught another Chinese fishing vessel. That time, a Chinese patrol ship came armed with mounted machine guns and demanded they release the boat and crew. This time, the Chinese coast guard was much better behaved. They merely followed Indonesian authorities through their Economic Zone into Indonesian territorial waters, then began literally ramming the Chinese fishing boat until they released it. The eight-person Chinese crew is still in Indonesian custody, but China has called for their release. Now Indonesia has typically stayed out of South China Sea territorial disputes, partly because Indonesia's waters are so far away from China. It's kind of ridiculous. But now, that may have changed.

With the events which unfolded yesterday, we feel that we were interrupted and sabotaged in our efforts and our years of works to promote peace in the South China Sea. Wait a minute, Indonesia. Your efforts to promote peace? Didn't you know that China is the one doing all the peace promotion? And, we don't hope to see anymore close-up military reconnaissance or the dispatch of missile destroyers or strategic bombers to the South China Sea. This is something we have a responsibility for under our non-militarization commitment. See? Non-militarization commitment. Except last month, when this was reported. The Chinese military has deployed an advanced surface to air missile system on one of the disputed islands in the South China Sea. Or shortly after that. China deploys war planes to disputed South China Sea Islands. But compared to previous times Indonesia has dealt with illegal Chinese fishing vessels, their response this time has been much stronger.

Indonesia will summon China's ambassador over an incident involving a Chinese fishing vessel in the Natuna Sea. Summoning the Ambassador? That’s a pretty bold move for a country that relies on China as its largest trading partner. But here's the thing: China doesn't even dispute Indonesia's territorial claims. The sovereignty of the Natuna Islands belongs to Indonesia. China has no objections to this. Yet China insists that their fishermen were still in traditional Chinese fishing grounds? I guess there is something to be said for tradition. If everyone just respects each other's traditional fishing grounds, then we should be fine. What's that, Shelley? Ok, nevermind then. But anyway, the biggest problem for China is that by alienating Indonesia, they may have lost the closest thing to a neutral ally in the South China Sea disputes, disputes that have put China at odds with pretty much everyone else. So how do you think this incident will affect Indonesia's involvement in the South China Sea?

Leave your comments below. And remember to subscribe for more episodes of China Uncensored. Once again, I'm Chris Chappell. See you next time.

Indonesia "Attacks" China in South China Sea! | China Uncensored

China Uncensored

The Complex Dynamics of the South China Sea

The South China Sea dispute involves multiple countries, including China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines, and now Indonesia.

The region is described as a "powder keg" due to the escalating tensions.

The episode humorously suggests that everyone is stirring up trouble, except for one country that remains neutral.

Indonesia's Role in the South China Sea Dispute

Indonesia is not a claimant state in the South China Sea issue, but it recently attacked a Chinese fishing vessel in its Exclusive Economic Zone.

The incident has led Indonesia to summon China's ambassador, despite relying on China as its largest trading partner.

China's insistence on traditional fishing grounds has created tension, potentially alienating Indonesia and losing a neutral ally in the South China Sea disputes.

Indonesia's Response to Tensions in the South China Sea

Indonesia feels interrupted and sabotaged in its peace promotion efforts in the South China Sea.

The country criticizes China's military activities in the region, despite China's claims of promoting peace.

Indonesia's response to illegal Chinese fishing vessels has become stronger in light of the recent tensions.

Tensions Between China and Indonesia in the South China Sea

A small part of Indonesia's Exclusive Economic Zone overlaps with China's Nine-dash line.

The recent incident involving a Chinese fishing vessel was less aggressive than a similar one in 2013.

Indonesia's stance on South China Sea territorial disputes may be changing due to these ongoing tensions.