Indonesia Lodges Protest Against Chinese Coast Guard Violation

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - The government of Indonesia, through Foreign Affairs Minister Retno L.P. Marsudi, has lodged a protest with the Chinese Charge dAffaires in Jakarta Sun Weide over Chinese coast guard violations in Indonesian waters.

"I have just summoned the Chinese charge daffaires in Jakarta Sun Weide. We have expressed our strong protest and have submitted a memorandum during that meeting," Foreign Minister Marsudi noted here on Monday.

Minister Marsudi revealed that the protest note addressed to the Chinese Embassy contained at least three main points.

First, the Indonesian government has objected to the violations committed by the Chinese coast guard against the countrys sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and continental shelf.

Second, the Indonesian government has raised a protest on the violation by the Chinese coast guard against its law enforcement agencies on the EEZ and continental shelf.

Third, the Indonesian government has protested to the violation committed by the Chinese coast guard on its marine territorial sovereignty.

The minister said the Indonesian government had sought clarification from the Chinese government over the incident.

Marsudi also stressed that as part of sound state relations, each country must respect the principles of international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in 1982.

"Finally, I would like to emphasize that Indonesia is not a claimant state in the South China Sea and not a claimant state in the South China Sea dispute," affirmed Minister Marsudi.

The foreign minister summoned the Chinese charge daffaires of Jakarta since the current Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia was in Beijing.

Earlier, the Chinese authorities had intervened in the law enforcement efforts undertaken by Indonesian authorities to seize a Chinese-origin ship MV Kway Fey 10078 after it was suspected of committing illegal fishing in the Natuna waters of Indonesia.

The Chinese Coast Guard attempted to intimidate the Indonesian Navys Hiu 11 patrol boat, which was in the process of taking into custody the 300 gross ton (GT) ship, on Saturday, March 19.(WDY)