Oscar Radyan Danar B4KD1014

Consumable Resources and Social Conflict Subject

International Post-Graduate Program in Human Security Department of International Resource Policy

Graduate School of International Cultural Studies

The Emergence of Conflict Between Indonesia and China: China Claims in Indonesia’s Natuna Waters

Outline of Presentation

• China-South East Asian Nations Dispute in the South China Sea and The Position of Indonesia

• The Change of Indonesia Position and its Reasons

• The Importance of Natuna Area • Statements of Indonesia High Rank Officials

and Chinese Ambassador • The Scenarios of Indonesia-China Relation • My Own Conclusion

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China-South East Asian Nations Dispute in the South China Sea

The South China Sea dispute became a key

strategic issue between China and South East Asian Nations in the

mid-1990s.

Particularly significant after

China's 1994 occupation of

Spratly Islands.

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Image courtesy of: http://theprojectreview.blogspot.jp/2011/11/interesting-places-spratly-islands.html

4 Image of flags, courtesy of: http://www.crossed-flag-pins.com/

The Position of Indonesia in South China Sea Disputes

For over two decades, Indonesia has positioned itself as an independent mediator in the South

China Sea disputes.

Indonesia and China have no overlapping claims to islands.

In Jakarta's view, therefore, Indonesia and China should have no disputes over waters.

5 Image of flag: courtesy of http://www.abflags.com/flags-of-the-world/southeast-asia/indonesia/

Recently the Situation is Different

In recent years, China has taken a series of actions

that Indonesia perceives as undermining UNCLOS

(United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) and threatening

regional stability.

There was China's 2009 publication of its nine-dash

line map, which includes parts of the Indonesia’s Natuna Island EEZ in its

southernmost area (Murphy, 2014).

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Source: http://jakartagreater.com/china-klaim-wilayah-natuna/

Extent of China Claims in Natuna Waters

8 Source: http://www.mi2g.com/cgi/mi2g/frameset.php?pageid=http%3A//www.mi2g.com/cgi/mi2g/press/241112.php

China claims in Indonesia

nautical mile Exclusive

Economic Zone (Natuna Waters)

New Chinese e-passport includes nine-dash line map

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Source: Chubb, A. 2012.

New PRC e-passport and old version

Close-up of nine-dash line depiction in new People’s Republic of China passport

New Chinese passport with nine-dash-line map in top-left (Reuters via Guardian)

Chinese illegal fishing and the confrontation

On 26 March 2013, the Indonesian vessel Hiu Macan 001 of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries encountered a Chinese fishing boat 58081 GT.150 operating illegally in the northeast of Natuna waters. Indonesian Officials arrested and transferred chinese fisherman to Indonesia officials boat to be taken to Natuna island.

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Source: Bentley, 2013.

Image courtesy of: http://garudamiliter.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/kisah-gesekan-di-laut-natuna.html

China’s Yuzeng 311

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China Yuzheng 311, the country's largest fishery patrol ship. Image courtesy of: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2009-05/13/content_7771886.htm

Concerned with the safety of its crew, the Indonesian officials complied that

demand.

Before reaching land, Chinese armed vessels (Yuzeng 311) confronted the Indonesian boat, and demanded the

release of the Chinese fisherman.

Source: Bentley, 2013.

Indonesia Kept Quiet

Indonesia has kept such incidents quiet in part due to its preference for quiet diplomacy and in part to retain its position as mediator.

Indonesia had also hoped that China valued Jakarta's regional leadership -in ASEAN- role and would accommodate Indonesia's interest in the Natuna area issue in order not to jeopardize the relationship.

12 Source: Murphy, 2014

China has taken a series of assertive actions in another area. It sent China's aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, on a

mission in the South China Sea and declared indisputable sovereignty over James Shoal, only 50 miles, or 80 kilometers, off the coast of Malaysia.

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Picture courtesy of: http://cofda.wordpress.com/2013/10/26/malaysia-to-build-naval-base-near-james-shoal-also-claimed-by-china/

Picture courtesy of : http://malaysiaflyingherald.wordpress.com/2013/04/16/rmn-ship-tracks-plan-naval-manouvers-at-james-shoal/

AND FINALLY… (Official Public Announcement from Indonesian Government)

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“China has claimed Natuna waters as their

territorial waters.”

March 13, 2014 Commodore Fahru Zaini, assistant deputy to the chief security minister for defense strategic doctrine http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/93178/china-includes-part-of-natuna-waters-in-its-map

Natuna Gas Reserves is the largest in Indonesia

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Natural Gas Reserves in Natuna is 51,46 TCF, is the largest in Indonesia. One

third Indonesia’s Gas Reserve.

Natural Gas Reserves in Indonesia is 157, 14 TCF spreads in Aceh, East

Kalimantan and Papua

Natural Gas Reserves in Natuna Block

Producers of natural gas in the world (in bcm-billion cubic meters-)

Indonesia Rank 9

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677

651

160 151 149 106 103

92 92

81

1121

Producers

Russian Federation (1)

United States (2)

Canada (3)

Qatar (4)

Iran (5)

Norway (6)

China (7)

Saudi Arabia (8)

Indonesia (9)

Netherlands (10)

Rest of The World Source: prepared by author based on Key World Energy Statistics, 2012

Minister of Foreign Affairs Statement

Firstly, there is no territorial dispute between Indonesia and China, especially about the Natuna. In fact, we are cooperating with China in possibly bringing about foreign direct investment plans in

the Natunas.

Second, we are not a claimant state in the South China Sea.

Third, on the nine-dash line, it is true that we do not accept that. This is why we have asked for a formal explanation from China regarding their claims’ legal basis and background.

March 19, 2014

Marty Natalegawa. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Source: http://www.antaranews.com/berita/424961/indonesia-pernah-sampaikan-keberatan-atas-peta-natuna

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Moeldoko, National Defense Forces (TNI) Chief Writing in the Wall Street Journal

Picture courtesy of : http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/92881/tni-to-increase-its-forces-around-natuna-waters

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“…The exercise will focus on naval capabilities in disaster relief, but we will also pay attention to the aggressive

stance of the Chinese government by entering the

Natuna area…”

June 15, 2014

Commodore Amarullah O., Sea Combat Task Force chief of the Indonesian Navy Western Fleet http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2013/06/15/batam-host-komodo-naval-joint-exercise.html

High Rank Indonesian Navy Statement

Chinese Ambassador Statement

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NATUNA ISLAND Is Owned by Indonesia.

It is a good statement, but the problem IS NOT THE ISLAND but

the WATERS

Natural resources rich area located in the Waters not in the

Island

The Simple Scenarios of Indonesia-China Relation over Natuna Area

Worst Scenario

China’s claim following by assertive actions. Indonesian Government

will not give up Natuna area, since it is very important area; natural

resources-rich area, particularly natural gas. The tension of conflict

will higher.

Best Scenario

China clarify their actions and acknowledge Indonesia sovereignty

over Natuna area (islands and waters).

This clarification followed by written agreement between Indonesian and

Chinese Government.

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If the worst Scenario Happen…

Worst Scenario

Threaten Human Security

Threaten State

Security

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Source: Moeldoko, 2014

My Own Conclusion…

For over two decades, Indonesia has positioned itself as an independent mediator in South China Sea disputes, since its position as “ASEAN Leader”.

Some China actions in Indonesia’s Natuna area changed this position. Currently, Indonesia and China have a higher tension. It is also stated by high rank officials in Ministry of Politic, Law and Security (Polhukam) and TNI Chief.

But Indonesian Government, particularly Ministry of Foreign Affairs, seems being very careful to respond this issue by giving a neutral statement.

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Natuna Waters is very important due to it contains natural resources abundance particularly natural gas.

If the worst scenario happened; it will jeopardize the relation between Indonesia-China, threaten the state as well as human security.

References

• Antaranews.com. 2014. Indonesia pernah sampaikan keberatan atas peta natuna. (01.07.2014).

• Antaranews.com. 2014. China includes part of Natuna waters in its map. (01.07.2014).

• Bentley, S., 2013. (04.07.2014)

• Chubb, A. 2012. You cannot not support this”: the passport saga impresses China’s online nationalists. (03.07.2014)

• HaluanKepri. 2014. Natuna Gas Potential is the Largest in Indonesia. < http://haluanmedia.com/kepri/berita-daerah-kepri/natuna/2013/01/29/potensi-gas-natuna-terbesar-di-indonesia.html> (Accessed on 30 June 2014).

• International energy agency. 2012. Key World Energy Statistics. (Accessed on 30 June 2014).

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References

• International energy agency. 2012. Key World Energy Statistics. (Accessed on 30 June 2014).

• Jakartagreater. China claims Natuna area. (Accessed on 30 June 2014)

• Mi2g. 2012. China Sows New Seeds of Conflict With Neighbours: Lays Claim Over Energy-Rich Territories in Asia-Pacific. (Accessed on 30 June 2014).

• Moeldoko. 2014. China’s dismaying new claims in the South China Sea. (03.07.2004).

• Murphy, Marie A. 2014. The end of strategic ambiguity: Indonesia formally announces its dispute with china in the South China Sea. (03.07.2014).

• The Jakarta Post. Batam to host Komodo naval joint exercise. (Accessed on 01 July 2014).

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The Emergence of Conflict Between Indonesia and China: China’s Claim in Indonesia’s Natuna Waters

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION

Image of flags, courtesy of: http://www.crossed-flag-pins.com/animated-flag-gif/flags-Indonesia.html; http://www.crossed-flag-pins.com/animated-flag-gif/flags-China.html