Jakarta seeks clarification from Beijing on claims in South China Sea

From Today (Apr 8): Jakarta seeks clarification from Beijing on claims in South China Sea



Philippine Marines gesturing at a Chinese Coast Guard vessel, which tried to block a Philippine government supply ship from reaching the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, part of the Spratly Islands, in the South China Sea late last month. PHOTO: Reuters

JAKARTA — Indonesia is seeking clarity on China’s intent behind its maritime claims in the South China Sea to avoid the risk of miscalculations in a zone rich in natural gas, Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said.

Indonesia wants an explanation for a map outlining China’s assertions in the South China Sea that appears on the nation’s passports and has asked the United Nations to help it obtain legal clarity, Dr Marty told Bloomberg in Jakarta yesterday. The Philippines last month challenged China’s claims to contested areas of the South China Sea at a UN tribunal.

“What needs to be better communicated is the intent behind these steps, so they don’t become inadvertently a new source of problem and challenge,” Dr Marty said.

The potential for misunderstanding meant there was a risk of minor incidents leading to a bigger crisis in the region, he said.

China’s push on its territorial claims in the South China Sea, an area rich in oil, gas and fish, and home to some of the world’s busiest shipping lanes, comes as it demonstrates greater military assertiveness in the region and beefs up defence spending.

While China has agreed to work with South-east Asian nations to craft a code of conduct for the waters, little progress has been made since talks were announced last July.

Indonesia is not a claimant in the South China Sea and the country is not worried about getting caught up in the broader disputes, Dr Marty said.

Vietnam, the Philippines and Malaysia are among countries vying for territory in the area alongside China.

“Any one of us that simply emphasises one’s own security will find out quickly that such an approach can only be temporary,” said Dr Marty, a 51-year-old career diplomat, adding the maritime region should connect nations rather than be an area to carve up.

An Indonesian official said on March 12 that China’s so-called nine-dash line map included part of the Natuna Island waters in the Indonesian province of Riau.

Vietnam and the Philippines reject China’s map of the waters as a basis for joint development of oil and gas, a solution pushed by China.

“China has claimed the Natuna waters as their territorial waters,” Antara News quoted Commodore Fahru Zaini, Assistant Deputy to the Chief Security Minister for Defence Strategic Doctrine, as saying.

“This arbitrary claim is related to the dispute over the Spratly and Paracel islands between China and the Philippines. This dispute will have a large impact on the security of the Natuna waters.”

Indonesia will deploy four Boeing Apache attack helicopters to the Natuna Islands, IHS Jane’s reported on its website on March 27, citing General Budiman, the army’s Chief of Staff, as a pre-emptive measure against instability in the South China Sea. Indonesia is awaiting delivery of eight of the helicopters, due to arrive in 2017, it said, quoting Gen Budiman.

Dr Marty said any build-up of Indonesia’s defence capability was part of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s efforts to build a minimum force to protect the country’s territory, and not a response to regional arms buying.

Commenting on his country’s ties with neighbour Australia following allegations last year that Canberra had tapped Mr Yudhoyono’s phone, leading to a halt in cooperation on asylum seekers, Dr Marty said he hoped the worst was behind the two countries. The spat had not affected economic ties, he said, with two-way trade at A$14.6 billion (S$17.1 billion) in 2012.

While Dr Marty could not say whether Australia was no longer spying on Jakarta, he said the government believes Australia’s assurances on the use of its intelligence resources.

“This is about trust, this is about confidence,” Dr Marty said, describing the issue as an “aberration” in the ties. “Time heals.”

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott came to power last September, promising a tough stance on asylum seekers, an issue that has at times rankled Jakarta.

Many asylum seekers to Australia have been ferried from Indonesian shores by people smugglers.

http://www.todayonline.com/world/asia/jakarta-seeks-clarification-beijing-claims-south-china-sea