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The U.S. and China continue to spar on freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, with Beijing claiming much of the islands and waters in the area as its own. One major regional power has been mostly quiet on the dispute so far, but that may be changing. VOA’s Yuni Salim reports, in this report narrated by Nova Poerwadi
Content TypePackage
LanguageEnglish
Transcript/Scriptndonesia South China Sea Poerwadi
Headline: Indonesia Seeks to Ward off China’s Territorial Ambitions
Published at: 2/17/2022 at 8am
Byline: Nova Poerwadi
Contributor:
Dateline: Depok, Indonesia
Videographer: Yuni Salim
Producer:
Script editors: KE, MAS
Video source(s): VOA, wires, Skype, see courtesies, ap, afp, reuters
Platform(s): Web___ TV_x__ Radio_x__
TRT: 2:47
Vid approved by: mia
Type: TVPKG
((INTRO))
[[The U.S. and China continue to spar on freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, with Beijing claiming much of the islands and waters in the area as its own. One major regional power has been mostly quiet on the dispute so far, but that may be changing. VOA’s Yuni Salim reports, in this report narrated by Nova Poerwadi]]
((NARRATOR))
Southeast Asia’s largest nation, Indonesia has often taken a soft approach to China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea. But Indonesia has recently begun asserting its rights in the region.
It has been drilling in offshore waters China considers disputed.
(MANDATORY COURTESY: DVIDS))
(nats)
And joint military exercises with U.S. forces in August prompted a letter of protest from Beijing leaders.
((Greg Poling, Center for Strategic and International Studies))
(Mandatory Courtesy: Skype)
“Clearly the standoff last year over Indonesia's drilling in the Tuna Block, it really frustrated Indonesia and it's giving the leeway for Indonesia to explore subregional diplomacy, meaning outside of ASEAN with the other claimants, which is something that Indonesia has not wanted to do.”
((NARRATOR))
The Tuna Block is part of the waters off the Natuna Islands, which have become a relatively recent flashpoint. Indonesia considers it part of its Exclusive Economic Zone, while Beijing considers the region part of their traditional fishing waters.
Like many nations in the Indo-Pacific, Indonesia now finds itself regularly fending off Chinese fishing fleets and coast guard in the disputed waters.
((Scott Harold, RAND Corporation)
(Mandatory Courtesy: Skype)
“I think China is serious about this. I think Indonesia being the farthest away from China probably has experienced some of the least coercion. But quite clearly China is intending to throw its weight around. “
((NARRATOR))
Faced with these continuing challenges from China, Indonesia is now reaching out to five fellow members of the regional grouping ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam to coordinate their coast guards in the face of Chinese encroachment.
But in pursuing a tougher line against China’s territorial ambitions off Natuna, Indonesia risks alienating its largest trading partner, and second largest source of foreign investment.
((Greg Poling, Center for Strategic and International Studies))
(Mandatory Courtesy: Skype))
“And their number one concern about China is maintaining good enough relations that
Chinese investment flows into infrastructure in particular, which is always top priority.”
((NARRATOR))
It’s a similar balancing act for the five countries seeking greater cooperation with Indonesia on maritime security, as well as for Indo-Pacific nations in general.
((Scott Harold, RAND Corporation)) “China's material capabilities are so over overmatched for most countries, I think they tend to pick their fights and they tend to stand up for themselves when it's a really core issue. But on some smaller issues, they find ways like perhaps not highlighting it, not making it a
Public issue and try to deal with it quietly.”
((NARRATOR))
A meeting of coastguards from six affected ASEAN members was scheduled for February, but has been postponed till at least March, reportedly due to COVID.
For Yuni Salim, Nova Poerwadi, VOA News.
NewsML Media TopicsEconomy, Business and Finance, Arts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateFebruary 17, 2022 17:36 EST
BylineDepok, Indonesia
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
