O

pen confrontation on the Natuna waters between Chinese fishermen and the Indonesian Navy continues to escalate, with the Chinese government warning Indonesia not to complicate the situation following a third confrontation between the two sides this year.

Beijing protested the firing on a Chinese fishing vessel and the detaining of seven of its citizens late on Friday evening, while Indonesia insisted it had the right to protect its territorial sovereignty. China includes waters of Natuna Islands within its Nine-Dash Line, meaning it claims the body of the water.

Quoting a written statement from Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hua Chunying on Sunday, Reuters reported that one of the Chinese crew members had been injured. He was transported to Hainan province. China strongly protested the incident.

The Navy vowed to clear the Natuna waters from poachers and launch more aggressive measures after it arrested another Chinese vessel on Saturday, the third in the last two months, on allegations of fishing illegally within Indonesia’s jurisdiction.

The arrested vessel, identified as Yueyandong Yu 19038, was among 12 foreign ships pursued by patrol officers, who failed to arrest the other 11 in the face of strong resistance from the vessels’ crew members.

The Navy suspected that the other 11 ships were also China-flagged.

Navy spokesman First Adm. Edi Sucipto said the Navy would increase the number of patrol vessels and officers in the region to protect the resource-rich Natuna waters from being exploited by foreign poachers.

“Whatever flags that vessels might carry, if they violate the law in Indonesian jurisdiction, then the Indonesian Navy will not hesitate to launch firm prosecution,” said Edi on Sunday.

Early on Saturday, Navy patrol vessel KRI Imam Bonjol-383 arrested Yueyandong Yu 19038 in Indonesia’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea after pursuing the 12 vessels from the Natuna waters after receiving information from air surveillance officers.

He said that as in the previous two arrests, Saturday’s arrest also saw attempts by two Chinese coast guard ships to protect the Yueyandong Yu 19038 from being towed to Rinai, a claim that Edi had denied.

Arif said that the illegal fishing took place as several Navy warships were conducting regular exercises in Natuna waters.

“One Chinese coast guard ship came before another one followed. They asked us to release the Chinese vessel. We ignored their request. The KRI Imam Bonjol then continued to tow the vessel with the help of three Navy ships to dispel the maneuvers of the Chinese coast guard vessels. “Finally, we managed to get the Chinese vessel to Ranai,” Arif said.

Seven crew members of the Yueyandong Yu 19038 are being questioned at the Ranai base for further investigation.

“The Chinese ship uses a trawl net, which poses a threat to the marine ecosystem. This is the third incident involving Chinese coast guards,” Arif said.

Two other encounters were reported between Indonesian naval vessels and Chinese fishing boats near the islands this year, respectively on March 20 and May 19.

The latest incident took place as an investigation into the two previous incidents is being carried out.
___________________________________