Indonesia enters South China Sea strife

Reuters correspondent Andrew RC Marshall visited the Natuna archipelago in Indonesia, a sleepy island chain and possible flash point in the regional ownership of the South China Sea.

Published

5 months ago

Categories

Finance, World

Topics

Finance, Asia, International Relations

Places

China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, South China Sea, Taiwan

Transcript

Nothing much happens on the remote Indonesian islands of Natuna. The beaches are pristine and empty. The main industry is small-scale fishing. The largest town has only two sets of traffic lights. Yet sleepy Natuna could become a flashpoint in the escalating conflict in the South China Sea -- one of the world's busiest and most strategic waterways. China already claims 90 percent of the South China Sea. Many islanders fear those claims could also include Natuna and its untapped energy reserves. The Indonesian military has vowed to beef up its presence here. Local people told me they welcomed the move, but doubted it would make much of a difference. (SOUNDBITE) (English) REUTERS SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT, ANDREW RC MARSHALL SAYING: "The people here on Natuna are worried about more than just Chinese intentions in the South China Sea. The wrecked boats behind me are Vietnamese trawlers. They were seized while fishing illegally in Natuna waters and have been left here to rot." Local fishermen tell us that it's not just trawlers from Vietnam that are stealing their fish, but also from Thailand and Taiwan. And there's very little that the Indonesian navy or marine police can do about this; their fleets are small and ill-equipped, and the ocean is vast. Officially, China doesn't dispute Indonesia's ownership of Natuna, although it refuses to define its claims over nearby waters. Security experts say Indonesia's military is unlikely to station more troops here. That would risk antagonizing China, with all its military and economic might. For now at least, the Natuna islanders are on their own. ENDS