China looks to Indonesia for diplomatic resolution after coastguards’ Natuna encounters

China wants to resolve its maritime differences with Indonesia through diplomacy, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Thursday in the wake of two encounters in the North Natuna Sea this week.

Indonesia’s maritime authority, Bakamla, said a Chinese coastguard vessel was twice escorted out of the waters, first on Monday and then again on Thursday.

It said the vessel “disrupted seismic survey and data processing activities being carried out by [state-owned oil firm] PT Pertamina East Natuna using the MV Geo Coral vessel”.

“Bakamla will keep patrolling and intensively monitoring the waters of North Natuna to ensure seismic data gathering can go without disruption to Indonesia’s sovereignty,” the agency said.

But in Beijing, foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said the Chinese coastguard was on patrol in waters under China’s jurisdiction.

“The China Coast Guard vessel carried out routine patrols in waters under the jurisdiction of China in accordance with international law and China’s domestic laws,” Lin said.