Indonesian Sends a Note of Protest against China in South China Sea Fishing Dispute

Minister of Foreign Affairs RetnoMarsudi receives a courtesy call from Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs at the office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jakarta, Monday (21/3)

The Indonesian Government through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs has summoned Sun Weide, Minister Counselor of China’s Embassy in Jakarta, to convey protests against the actions of a Chinese coast guard vessel that reportedly had contravened law enforcement measures conducted by Indonesian authorities against a China-flagged vesselKway Fey 10078 allegedly committing illegal fishing in Indonesian waters on Saturday.

“I just summoned Mr. Sun Weide. During the meeting, we sent a note of protest,” said Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno LP Marsudi after meeting with Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs Julia Bishop at the office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jakarta on Monday (21/3).

According to the Minister, a note of protest sent to the Chinese Embassy includes the protest against transgressions committed by Chinese coast guard vessel that has violated the sovereignty and jurisdiction of Indonesian territory within the ExclusiveEconomicZone (ZEE) and continental shelf.

In addition, the Government also protested violations committed by the Chinese coast guard vessels toward the sovereignty of Indonesian maritime territory.

“The Indonesian Government has also asked for a clarification from the Chinese Government regarding the incident,” Retno said.

Retno asserted that in good interstate relations, the principles of international law, including the principles of international laws in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in 1982, must be respected.

“Lastly, I said that Indonesia is not a claimant state in the South China Sea conflict,” Retno said.

Previously in the press conference in Widya Chandra, Jakarta on Sunday (20/3), Minister of Maritime and Fisheries Affairs Susi Pudjiastuti said that the Ministry was met with resistance when trying to capture Kway Fey 10078 vessel.

“The vessel continued to try to escape in a zigzag way so the surveillances vessel, the Hiu 11 vessel approached and could not avoid crash with the Chinese vessel,” Susi said, adding that at least three personnel of Hiu 11 vessel jumped on the Chinese vessel and managed to arrest its crew.

However, Indonesian Navy vessels failed to bring the vessel as evidence because the Chinese coast guard vessel that has a bigger size and is equipped with weapons tried to hinder the Indonesian Navy.

The Indonesian Navy, which lacks weaponry, finally released the illegal fishing boat, which was taken by the Chinese coast guard vessel outside the Indonesian waters.

“We lost evidence. I saw that the Chinese coastguard vesseldid not want the vessel to be sunk and we regret that,” Minister Susi said.

However, Susi appreciated the courage of personnel of Hiu 11 vessel because although the vessel is small, they were dare to jump onto the Chinese vessel and arrested its crew.(ANT/Humas KKP/ES)(EP/YM/Naster)