The Natuna Dispute: Can Indonesia Afford To Go Up Against China In South China Sea? | Insight

A maritime dispute is brewing between Southeast Asia’s largest economy, Indonesia and the world’s second largest economy China. Both countries are claiming sovereignty over waters off the resource rich Natuna islands. It’s a dispute that could potentially turn into a new flashpoint in the region. China claims that it has historic rights to most parts of the waters off Natuna. Indonesia on the other hand says that the Natuna sea falls within 200 nautical miles of Indonesia’s coastline, making it part of its exclusive economic zone or EEZ.

But can Indonesia afford to set limits to China’s maritime ambition in the South China sea? And given its dependence on China for investments and trade, will it stand to gain or lose more from its maritime dispute with a global superpower?

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[ronienayvejr.]

I stand in solidarity and Strength with our Indonesian Brothers and Sisters! 🇮🇩 ❤️🇵🇭

[krimlinturhks]

SALUTE TO INDONESIAN GOVERNMENT FOR BEING SO BRAVELY TO PROTECT ITS RIGHT!

[raymondnolasco]

This incident was widely covered in the Philippines. Respect and love to our brothers. Mabuhay Indonesia Raya!

[abuubakarali]

I stand with my Muslim Indonesian brothers and sisters it˙s the Islamic responsibility to defend the sovereignty of your land the sea of your nation, one love from Somalia💙🇮🇩.

[davidbowie]

I am from Ireland, ancestrally Indian, and I honestly want Indonesia to become stronger.

[camovault]

Its not true that Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) has been relied heavily on Chinese made weapon systems. The biggest arms suppliers for TNI are still US and EU countries. It is true that some Navy (TNI AL) Fast Missile Boat are using Chinese made C-705 but its operational record has been less than satisfactory. The Army (TNI AD) also operates some Chinese made AA autocannon but only a handful compare to some European made equivalents. TNI has also build solid partnership with US Armed Forces in recent years and major military assets procurements has already undergone and involved manufacturers from USA, France, Italy, UK, South Korea and even Japan

[aichanel]

Indonesian people are never afraid to go to war with any country if they are disturbed, the Mongols were slaughtered in Java when they were still the rulers of the world, Britain, the winner of the second world war, lost the war in Surabaya, the Indonesian people flowed in the blood of fighters, they will never be afraid of the problem of sovereignty

[ykrum]

If everything based on the history, Mongolia would claim its teritory from China to Europe and Indonesia would claim as far as the Philiphines.

[Trendigthings]

We stand with Indonesia. Love from India.

[andygian]

If we claim based from History, all of sea in South east Asia belong to Austronesian People because they live there for long time ago even before Chinese know how to make boats. So only their descendants have rights to have it, which is the people of Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia and Brunai.

[kylekatarn]

Indonesia is a rising power in the world and i think they need to do what is their best interest. Its apparently that China is Intruding into the South China Seas and Indonesia's sphere. So as the leader and strongest member of Asean, Indonesia needs to protect its future.

[islahbahrawi]

Indonesia will not stop oil drilling in the North Natuna Sea in cooperation with Russia...that's the right of the Indonesian government according to international law

[harrydhaliwal]

indonesia is a power both economically and militarily in its own right.However I don't agree that Indonesia is reliant on Chinese weapons. Indonesians are not stupid to be reliant on Chinese weapons and in a dispute being held hostage by china for military supplies.indonesia is also no push over from china and china knows it.

[R.O.E.]

for a long time, hundreds of years ago even thousands years when the Indonesian kingdom still existed, Natuna Island has become a place for Indonesia traditional fishermen. How can china declare it their territory. just by looking at the map, we all know that this is an Indonesian archipelago. You call yourself Land Lord The Biggest "China Mainland" country, not an archipelago or maritime country. It belongs to Indonesia not China

[hillaryedmund]

Stating Indonesia in a good term with the Chinese, is overstating, however saying we re in a hostile situation is not true as well.
Indonesia is playing it smooth and low, they try to make everybody happy by having little bit from here and there.
This related to Javanese culture, they will not confront any dispute abruplty but with proper diplomacy and tact. However like the Javanes, one should not look their politeness as weakness.
One of the current example, despite of heavy military purchase from western counterpart, Indonesia -with proper excuse- ignoring western demands on banning Russia for G20 meeting.
Likewise the military prowess of the country, the previous acquisations of military arsenals were mostly used western equipments with some rebuilding or minor updates of the equipments. But the current purchases are mostly new items, so yes they re getting there.
By saying that, presently Indonesian military might not the top notch condition and quality if comparing to -like- singapore, but definetely comparable to Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia in the terms of build quality of the arsenals. BUT having current military shopping spree like there s no tomorrow, in few years to come the military might of Indonesia will hugely increase.
For example China, 30 years ago the dispute of south china sea were among Brunei Malaysia Phillipines and some SEA countries as the PLA navy was small and of low qualities, it took them 20 years at least, finally they re become the key player in the region.

[sangnilautamapendekar]

Semua anak Nusantara patut bertekad mempertahankan kedaulatan tanahair & perairan masing-masing.

[victorsvoice]

Conservation of the sea is vital for the future of humanity. Just like protecting the environment from pollution.

[deeproller]

We here in Australia are with you Indonesia period

[harismalsundawi]

Indonesia must increase its naval military strength, especially increasing the number of patrol boats and battle ships that have been alerted on outer islands such as Natuna, lest the country's sovereignty be exchanged and lost because of investment from China. fishermen and indigenous islands must be protected and prospered. Asean countries must unite to maintain and defend their sovereignty and strengthen the borders of fellow Asean countries.

[ndi]

As long had good economy and stable politics, a country will capable defend their own territory