China acknowledge Indonesian sovereignty on Natuna. But it doesn't stop the western press from trying to sow discord between China and Indonesia.The Indonesian government never saw it as an issue. The Indonesia military is something else. They are anti China
On Nov. 12,
shocked the countries in the region by issuing a first-ever public statement on the Natuna Islands. According to
,
’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, “The Indonesian side has no territorial claim to
’s [Spratly Islands].
The Chinese side has no objection to ’s sovereignty over the Natuna Islands.”
This is significant because, although the Natuna Islands are outside of
’s self-designated “Nine-Dash-Line” that lays claim to virtually all of the South China Sea, Natuna’s 200-miles exclusive economic zone (EEZ) protrudes into the area defined by the Nine-Dash-Line. To publicly recognize
’s sovereign right to the Natunas means
’s acknowledgment of
’s legitimate claim to an EEZ inside
’s self-claimed Nine-Dash-Line.
And this is not something that
has been willing to do, partly because of the inexact nature of the so-called Nine-Dash-Line and partly because
does not want to show weakness to its smaller neighbors who challenge its maritime claims. Beijing’s
But Indonesia's government insists that Indonesia and China won't clash over the South China Sea, and that the two nations will solve this problem diplomatically.
Image caption Mr Natalegawa says Indonesia and China are able to solve the problem diplomatically
"There may not be an actual overt intention to be aggressive," Marty Natalegawa, the Indonesian foreign minister told me.
"Or to take over land in a classic sense - but what may happen is miscalculation. Then you have action and re-armament. What was initially an arms build-up becomes an arms race."
"We don't have to follow that script - we have all prospered because we have had stability."
Back on Natuna, it's obvious how much that stability is prized among the local population.
This island is a picturesque, idyllic place - but it stands on the frontline of a potential clash between Indonesia and China.
Although the possibility may seem remote at the moment, Indonesia has to balance its interests delicately while making sure it keeps its borders safe.
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