Simon Hutagalung
The recent expulsion of a Chinese Coast Guard vessel by Indonesia’s Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) in the North Natuna Sea highlights the escalating geopolitical tensions between China and Southeast Asian nations.
The North Natuna Sea, which is abundant in resources and strategically significant, has long been a focal point of competing territorial claims. While Indonesia asserts its sovereignty over maritime areas by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982, China’s aggressive manoeuvres reflect its broader territorial ambitions within the South China Sea. This essay contends that China’s infringement upon Indonesia’s territorial sovereignty not only violates international law but also necessitates a more robust Indonesian response to safeguard national interests. Indonesia must adopt a more assertive posture, utilising legal frameworks such as UNCLOS, forging diplomatic alliances, and enhancing its military presence to protect its territorial integrity.
China’s Territorial Claims and Indonesia’s Response
China’s assertion of vast portions of the South China Sea, delineated by its contentious Nine-Dash Line, has been a central point of contention with its Southeast Asian neighbours, including Indonesia. The incident on October 21, 2024, in which China Coast Guard (CCG) 5402 obstructed the seismic survey activities of Indonesia’s state-owned energy company PT East Pertamina Natuna, represents a recent escalation in this enduring tension.
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