For the second time in three days, Indonesian patrol ships drove away a Chinese coast guard vessel that was interfering with a seismic survey being conducted in Indonesia’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea, authorities said on Thursday. The incident occurred as Indonesian state energy company PT Pertamina carried out survey operations in waters near the Natuna Islands, a region Indonesia renamed the North Natuna Sea in 2017.
The Chinese vessel, identified as China Coast Guard 5402, approached the Indonesian survey vessel MV Geo Coral on both Monday and Wednesday, prompting Indonesian forces to respond. The Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) confirmed that patrol ships and a naval aircraft were deployed to shadow the Chinese ship, ultimately forcing it to withdraw from Indonesia’s jurisdiction.
Watch: Video of #Indonesia Coast Guard Ship KN Tanjung Datu-301 that successfully shadowed and expelled #China Coast Guard 5402 ship as it was disrupting an Indonesian seismic survey ship in the North Natuna Sea, in the EEZ of Indonesia, on Oct 21. pic.twitter.com/NYgDm57XjC
— Indo-Pacific News – Geo-Politics & Defense (@IndoPac_Info) October 24, 2024
The confrontation began when the Chinese ship disrupted seismic data collection operations being carried out by Indonesia’s state-owned energy company. Indonesian patrol ships, supported by naval forces, issued repeated warnings to the Chinese vessel to vacate the area. Despite the Chinese crew’s claims of operating within Chinese waters, Indonesian forces continued shadowing the vessel until it retreated from the area.
In a video shared by Indonesia’s coast guard, radio exchanges between Indonesian and Chinese officers highlighted the dispute, with Chinese officials asserting sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and the surrounding waters. In response, the Indonesian officer asserted the area was within Indonesia’s EEZ and under its sovereign control.
⚠️ On Monday (21/10) Indonesian Coast Guard and Navy expelled CCG 5402 from North Natuna Sea after it was reported to have disrupted 🇮🇩 seismic survey activities
In this video released by @HumasBakamlaRI, CCG ship claimed that the area is under 🇨🇳 jurisdiction & sovereign rights https://t.co/y09nBpsee1 pic.twitter.com/uIOf1ZKjhb
— JATOSINT (@Jatosint) October 22, 2024
China claims almost the entire South China Sea under its controversial “nine-dash line,” which overlaps with parts of Indonesia’s EEZ. The disputed area is rich in natural resources, including oil and gas reserves, and is strategically significant due to its global shipping lanes. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian reiterated that the Chinese vessel was conducting routine patrols in what China considers its waters and expressed willingness to resolve the issue through diplomatic channels.
Tensions between Indonesia and China over the Natuna Sea are part of a broader territorial dispute in the South China Sea, where China’s expansive claims also conflict with those of Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan. While Indonesia does not have a formal territorial dispute with China, it has become increasingly protective of its EEZ, particularly as Chinese ships frequently enter waters near the Natuna Islands.
Indonesia has pledged to continue patrolling the North Natuna Sea and safeguarding its sovereign rights. The Indonesian Maritime Security Agency emphasized that it would ensure the smooth continuation of Pertamina’s survey activities while maintaining the nation’s territorial integrity.
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