JAKARTA STAKES CLAIM ON SEA
Move to rename parts of South China Sea viewed as political statement
INDONESIA renamed the northern reaches of its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea as the North Natuna Sea on Friday, the latest act of resistance by Southeast Asian nations to China’s territorial ambitions in the maritime region.
Seen by analysts as an assertion of Indonesian sovereignty, part of the renamed sea is claimed by China under its boundary, known as the “NineDash Line”, that encompasses most of the resource-rich sea.
Several Southeast Asian countries dispute China’s territorial claims and are competing with China to exploit the sea’s abundant hydrocarbon and fishing resources.
China has raised the ante by deploying military assets on artificial islands constructed on shoals and reefs in disputed parts of the sea.
Indonesia insists it is a nonclaimant state in the dispute, but has clashed with China over fishing rights around the Natuna Islands, detaining Chinese fishermen and expanding its military presence in the area over the past 18 months.
Unveiling the new map at the Maritime Affairs and Resources Ministry, its deputy coordinating minister, Arif Havas Oegroseno, said the northern side of its EEZ was the site of oil and gas activity.
In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said he did not know anything about the details of the issue, but said the name South China Sea had broad international recognition and clear geographic limits.
“Certain countries’ so-called renaming is totally meaningless. We hope the relevant country can meet China halfway and properly maintain the present good situation in the South China Sea region, which has not come easily,” Geng said.
I Made Andi Arsana, an expert on the Law of the Sea from Indonesia’s Universitas Gadjah Mada, said the renaming carried no legal force but was a political and diplomatic statement.
“It will be seen as a big step by Indonesia to state its sovereignty. It will send a message to the Indonesian people and diplomatically speaking,” he said.