“Rear Adm. Alexander and I first flew together as a crew in an A-6 carrier-based aircraft in July 1988”, said Rear Adm. Marcus A. Hitchcock, commander of CSG 3.
Advertisement
Following Friday’s clash, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that “China and Indonesia have overlapping claims for maritime rights and interests” in the area, a statement which analysts said was significant as it openly acknowledged the existence of a dispute.
“China strongly protests and condemns such excessive use of force”, ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying was quoted as saying in a statement carried by the official Xinhua news agency.
The Chinese statement also said that the latest skirmish occurred in an area “where China and Indonesia have overlapping claims for maritime rights and interests” and accused Indonesia of violating global law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Indonesia’s actions violated worldwide laws, Hua was quoted as saying.
In the statement, the foreign ministers expressed “serious concerns over recent and ongoing developments, which have eroded trust and confidence, increased tensions and which may have the potential to undermine peace, security and stability in the South China Sea”.
“China protested because it thinks this area is theirs”, Indonesian Rear Admiral Achmad Taufiqoerrochman told reporters in Jakarta.
The commander of the Indonesian navy’s western fleet said that he suspected the incursions were “structured”, indicating the Chinese government had “given its blessing” because the vessels were guarded.
The statement added the Chinese boats were harassed and shot by several Indonesian naval vessels and that China has lodged a diplomatic protest to Indonesia after the episode.
Navy spokesman Edi Sucipto said all seven crew aboard were unharmed.
“No other Navy can concentrate this much combat power on one sea or synchronize the activities of over 12,000 sailors, 140 aircraft, six combatants and two carriers”, Hitchcock said.
The two countries have clashed before over the islands on the southwestern edge of the South China Sea.
Indonesia said it will continue to take “decisive” action against foreign ships operating illegally in waters under its jurisdiction after Beijing criticized its navy for shooting at Chinese fishing vessels. Later, officials found two tons of fish in the detained Chinese vessel.
The U.S. carriers John C. Stennis and Ronald Reagan began joint operations in seas east of the Philippines at the weekend in a show of strength ahead of an worldwide court ruling expected soon on China’s expansive territorial claims in the contested South China Sea. It has no overlapping claims with China to islets or reefs there. The waters in question are claimed by China, but Indonesia considers them part of its exclusive economic zone, which would give it the right to resources including fish.
Advertisement
Confrontations between Indonesian and Chinese vessels around the Natunas have escalated since Jakarta launched a crackdown on illegal fishing in 2014.
