Jakarta –
Chinese ships are reportedly milling around Natuna Sea. Head of the Information Service for the Indonesian Navy (Kadispenal) First Admiral Julius Widjojono ensured that the Natuna Sea was in a conducive condition.
“The presence of foreign ships, both commercial ships and government ships of competitive countries passing by, the percentage of ship density and shipping lanes used are in a stable condition, this is a sign that international security and trust is maintained, that the North Natuna Sea is in a conducive condition,” said Julius to detikcom, Sunday (15/1/2023).
Julius said that foreign ships crossing the Natuna Sea were always there because they carried out peaceful crossings in the waters of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Julius said that if passing ships commit violations, the Indonesian Navy will not hesitate to take firm action according to the rules.
“Regarding the presence of foreign government ships there are always and they carry out Peaceful Navigation / Freedom Navigation in Indonesian EEZ waters. Law enforcement in these waters continues, if anyone is proven to have committed a violation, action will be taken in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, ” he said.
Furthermore, Julius said that the awareness of the vulnerability will also increase considering the weather in the Natuna Sea is experiencing strong winds and high waves. He said that the Indonesian Navy always conducts operations every year by deploying four warships to carry out security in the Natuna Sea.
We convey that the current weather conditions around the waters of the North Natuna Sea are experiencing strong winds and high waves, so that there will be an increase in awareness of the occurrence of vulnerabilities. The Indonesian Navy throughout the year has carried out operations by mobilizing at least 4 KRIs to carry out security, law enforcement and sovereignty in the area,” he added.
As previously reported, Chinese ships were monitored in the Natuna Sea. The Indonesian Navy responded to this by sending warships.
The Chinese vessel, named CCG 5901, has been sailing near the Tuna Block gas field and Vietnam’s Chim Sao oil and gas field since December 30.
TNI Navy Chief of Staff (KSAL) Admiral Muhammad Ali said his party had sent a warship to the Natuna Sea. In addition, maritime patrol aircraft and drones were also deployed.
“The Chinese ship did not carry out any suspicious activity,” Ali said as reported by Reuters.
“However, we need to monitor it because it has been in Indonesia’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) for a long time,” he continued.
A spokesman for the Chinese embassy in Jakarta declined to comment on this matter.
In 2021, ships from Indonesia and China watched each other for months near an oil rig in the Tuna block. China asked Indonesia to immediately stop drilling, saying the activity was in Chinese territory.
Indonesia calls the South China Sea part of its exclusive economic zone. The area was named the North Natuna Sea in 2017.
China rejects this. China claims the South China Sea as part of its maritime territory.
Watch the Video: Two Foreign Fishing Boats Arrested in Natuna Waters
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