BriefingAsia-Pacific

Why Is China Pressing Indonesia Again Over Its Maritime Claims?

Indonesian President Joko Widodo inspects troops at Selat Lampa Port, Natuna Islands, Indonesia (Indonesian Presidential Office photo via AP Images).
Indonesian President Joko Widodo inspects troops at Selat Lampa Port, Natuna Islands, Indonesia (Indonesian Presidential Office photo via AP Images).

By reigniting a dispute with Indonesia over control of the Natuna Islands, China appeared to be asserting its expansive territorial claims and challenging Indonesia's newly re-elected president. The move could backfire, though, by undermining Beijing's regional diplomatic goals. China sparked a major maritime confrontation with Indonesia near the South China Sea last month when dozens of Chinese fishing vessels, along with a coast guard escort, entered waters off the Natuna Islands, which are within Jakarta’s exclusive economic zone but are also claimed by China. Indonesian authorities responded swiftly, summoning China’s ambassador on Dec. 30 to lodge a protest and subsequently […]

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