Ship-tracking data obtained by BenarNews on Friday show the Chinese survey vessel Haiyang Dizhi 10 continues operating in Tuna Block in the Indonesian exclusive economic zone (EEZ), almost a week after a flagship U.S. aircraft carrier sailed within 50 nautical miles of it.
An Indonesian naval ship, the Kapitan Patimura-class corvette KRI Teuku Umar (385) was seen near the Haiyang Dizhi. The corvette is believed to have been dispatched to the area earlier this week.
Ship-tracking records also showed the Chinese coastguard ship 4303 was nearby on Thursday evening.
The aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson passed by the Haiyang Dizhi 10 on Sept. 11, as the American warship sailed through the southern part of the South China Sea, a move analysts say was intended to send a message to the Chinese vessel.
On Monday, the Indonesian navy deployed the KRI Bontang (907) to the same area. Ship-tracking records show it was closely following the Haiyang Dizhi’s movements in the Tuna Block, an important oil and gas field in the North Natuna Sea.
The KRI Bontang (907) has since withdrawn to Natuna Island.
The Indonesian navy said Friday that it has deployed five vessels to secure the Natuna Sea, with three or four vessels taking turns at sea. Ship-tracking data and witness accounts reported in Indonesian media indicate several Chinese coastguard vessels have also been in the area this week.
The events attracted great attention from the media and the Indonesian public, and prompted the Indonesian navy, as well as the Maritime Security Agency, also known as Bakamla, to speak out.
The Indonesian government has been under immense domestic pressure to protect natural resources.
Both agencies seemed having played down the presence of the Chinese ships. Commander of the Indonesian navy’s 2nd Fleet, Rear Adm. Arsyad Abdullah, said in a virtual press conference on Friday:
“Four KRIs (Indonesian vessels) are in the North Natuna Sea … We want to give confidence to fishermen or sea users in North Natuna Sea, and the sea is under control because of the presence of the KRIs there."
"In addition to the KRIs, operations in the North Natuna Sea also involved Indonesian Navy aircraft to carry out routine maritime air patrols in the area,” Arsyad said.
The Haiyang Dizhi has been operating there since late August, about 90 -100 nautical miles north of Indonesia’s Natuna Islands. Ship-tracking records show its back-and-forth pattern typical of a maritime survey.
Chinese ships have been accused of harassing neighboring countries’ oil exploration activities but China always insists they are operating within China’s jurisdiction.
Although Indonesia does not regard itself as a party to the territorial disputes in the South China Sea, the northern part of the Natuna Sea overlaps with the so-called “nine-dash line” that China uses to demarcate its sweeping claims in the South China Sea – a position not recognized by international law.
Tria Dianti in Jakarta contributed to this report by BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service.