JAKARTA (Reuters) – Indonesia’s position on the South China Sea remains unchanged and it will respond appropriately to safeguard its territory, an official said on Thursday, after a Chinese coast guard vessel interrupted a survey by Jakarta’s state energy firm.
Indonesia said last week it had driven the Chinese coast guard ship away three times in just a few days after its presence in waters more than 1,500 km (932 miles) from the Chinese mainland disrupted a survey by a vessel contracted by Pertamina.
China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, which it asserts through an armada of coast guard ships, some of which are accused by its neighbours of aggressive conduct and of trying to disrupt energy and fisheries activities.
“On the South China Sea, nothing changes from the Indonesian government. We will do what’s appropriate,” foreign ministry spokesperson Roy Soemirat told a press conference, when asked if the repelling of the Chinese ship was a sign new President Prabowo Subianto would be more assertive in defending Indonesia’s sovereignty.
“We are seeking confirmation and exchanging information. Dynamics on the ground will involve so many parties,” he said.
While Chinese coast guard vessels have been spotted numerous times lingering in Indonesia’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), the most recent incident came just days after Prabowo took office.
China’s foreign ministry last week said its coast guard carries out routine passage “in waters under China’s jurisdiction” and that it was willing to cooperate with Indonesia to properly handle incidents.
China typically says its coast guard operates lawfully and professionally to deter infringements in what are its waters.
The Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague in 2016 said China’s claim of sovereignty had no basis under international law, a ruling Beijing does not recognise.
While Beijing has locked horns frequently with the Philippines in the South China Sea and has had rows with Vietnam and Malaysia, standoffs with Indonesia have been rare.
In 2021 vessels from Indonesia and China shadowed each other for months near a submersible oil rig that had been performing well appraisals in the Natuna Sea. China at the time urged Indonesia to stop drilling in what was its territory.
(Reporting by Stanley Widianto; Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by John Mair)
