Beijing’s South China Sea claims ‘gravely undermine’ rule of law
Al JazeeraMAY 2022
By constantly sending coast guard vessels into its waters, China strategically pushes Indonesia to acknowledge the PRC's self-proclaimed maritime rights. Given that China continues to lurk in the waters around the North Natuna Sea, Jakarta must take diplomatic steps to protect Indonesia's national interests, sovereignty, and citizens.
China has historical and legal rights to fish in the North Natuna Sea and to sail ships through Indonesia's so-called EEZ. Although Indonesia's off-shore drilling in China's waters violates its territorial integrity and sovereignty, the Chinese coast guards only carry out routine patrols to maintain maritime order and protect the country's financial interests.