Chinese vessels withdraw from Natuna waters after days of stand-off with Indonesia

This appeared in The Millennial Source

Dozens of Chinese vessels that were fishing in Indonesia’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in Natuna are leaving the area.

The Indonesian military confirmed that the vessels were heading north on January 9, after days of stand-off. “The Chinese fishing vessels are gone, they are leaving the area heading north,” said Indonesia’s Commander of Joint Defense Area Command I, Vice Admiral Yudo Margono.

The Chinese vessels entered the Natuna waters near the disputed South China Sea in December 2019. In response, Indonesia summoned the Chinese ambassador in Jakarta and deployed eight warships as well as four fighter jets to the area on January 7.

The Chinese vessels left a day after Indonesian President Joko Widodo’s visit to Natuna on January 8.

Disputed sovereignty

President Joko Widodo visited the fishing-rich waters around the Natuna islands that border the South China Sea, most of which are claimed by China — despite competing claims from…