Asserting Sovereignty: Indonesia Renames Part of South China Sea

A long overdue assertion and reinforcement of Indonesian sovereign boundaries  

AGENCIES
07/14/2017

JAKARTA - 

Indonesia renamed the northern reaches of its exclusive economic zone 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 contentious maritime boundary, known as the 'nine-dash line', that encompasses most of the resource-rich sea. 

Several Southeast Asian states dispute China's territorial claims and are competing with China to exploit the South China 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's a non-claimant state in the South China Sea 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 official map, the deputy of maritime sovereignty at the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Arif Havas Oegroseno, noted the northern side of its exclusive economic zone was the site of oil and gas activity. 

Indonesian Deputy Minister for Maritime Affairs Arif Havas Oegroseno (C) stands in front of a new map of Indonesia

"We want to update the naming of the sea [and] we gave a new name in line with the usual practice: the North Natuna Sea," he told reporters. 

In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said he didn't 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," he told a daily news briefing. "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." 

"Clear Message"

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," he told Reuters. "It will send a clear message, both to the Indonesian people and diplomatically speaking." 

Euan Graham, director of the international security programme at the Lowy Institute, said Indonesia's action followed renewed resistance to Chinese territorial claims by other Southeast Asian states.

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