In a significant shift in diplomatic engagement, Indonesia is striving to manage the repercussions of a recent maritime cooperation agreement with China, which analysts interpret as a potential softening of Jakarta’s historical stance regarding Beijing’s extensive territorial claims in the South China Sea.
A joint declaration issued following a meeting between Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Saturday heralded the establishment of an “important common understanding on joint development in areas of overlapping claims.” This agreement could redefine maritime dynamics in the region.
Regional experts are largely consensus that this “understanding” undermines Indonesia’s territorial and maritime rights, prompting significant concern over the implications for national sovereignty.
One security analyst expressed skepticism on X, contending that a clause stipulating that the cooperation would proceed strictly under the laws of both nations might ultimately render the agreement ineffective.
Historically, Jakarta has steadfastly opposed the boundary delineated by Beijing, which not only encompasses a majority of the South China Sea but also encroaches upon Indonesia’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) situated north of the Natuna islands, as emphasized by Eddy Pratomo, a former member of Indonesia’s law of the sea negotiation team.
Eddy Pratomo, now an international law professor at Diponegoro University, noted, “With this Indonesia-China joint statement, it appears Indonesia is now acknowledging overlapping claims,” highlighting a potential shift in Jakarta’s diplomatic posture.
This potential shift could signify a tacit acknowledgment of China’s contentious nine-dash line claim over the South China Sea, particularly concerning areas near the North Natuna Sea, which has raised alarms among policymakers and analysts.
Beijing employs the nine-dash line on maps as a method to outline its broad claims in the South China Sea, a region embroiled in territorial claims involving Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam, alongside Taiwan. The situation has evolved into a complex geopolitical dilemma for ASEAN member states.
Eddy Pratomo cautioned that Beijing might leverage its agreement with Indonesia to exert pressure on other claimant nations to capitulate to the nine-dash line, further destabilizing regional claims and rights.
This China-defined boundary infringes on the exclusive rights conferred to claimant nations’ EEZs, allowing them to regulate fishing and exploit natural resources within 200 nautical miles of their coasts, posing a significant challenge to regional stability.
While the Indonesia-China joint statement did not expressly mention any cooperation on oil and gas exploration or extraction—activities primarily undertaken by Jakarta in its South China Sea EEZ, referred to as the North Natuna Sea—there remain questions about the agreement’s implications for resource management in the region.
In response to the backlash, the Indonesian Foreign Ministry swiftly attempted to clarify its position, asserting that the agreement should not be interpreted as an endorsement of Beijing’s contested nine-dash line.
The ministry emphasized, “Nothing in the cooperation may be construed in any way as a recognition of the ‘9-Dash Line’ claim. Indonesia maintains its stance that this claim lacks legal legitimacy under international law, particularly undermining the principles established by the UNCLOS 1982,” reinforcing Jakarta’s commitment to its maritime sovereignty.
Despite these assertions, the Indonesian Foreign Ministry specified that the primary focus of cooperation would be in the realms of fisheries and fisheries conservation within the contested waters, stirring further scrutiny among stakeholders.
As the agreement’s implications unfold, BenarNews reached out to foreign ministry spokesman Roy Soemirat for further insight on the negotiation process, but there was no response from the official.
This agreement unfolds against a backdrop of rising tensions in the South China Sea—a critical maritime corridor for global trade—where strategic posturing and naval encounters have become increasingly frequent.
Just last month, in the opening week of Prabowo’s presidency, Indonesian naval and coast guard vessels confronted and expelled a Chinese coast guard ship from Indonesia’s exclusive economic zone on three separate occasions, underscoring the fragile state of maritime security in the area.
Backlash to the news concerning the agreement arose promptly, both domestically and internationally, despite the Foreign Ministry’s attempts to clarify Indonesia’s position.
Aristyo Rizka Darmawan, an international law lecturer at Universitas Indonesia, criticized the Foreign Ministry’s statement as “vague,” arguing that it contradicts the joint communiqué and reflects poorly on the understanding of Indonesia’s international stance.
He highlighted, “The foreign ministry’s statement contradicts the joint statement and was released unilaterally while the joint statement was established collaboratively with China,” raising concerns regarding Jakarta’s consistent narrative on the issue.
“Indonesia appears to be the first ASEAN member-state to implicitly recognize Beijing’s nine-dash line… thus becoming the first ASEAN country to potentially enter China’s nine-dash line trap,” Aristyo asserted.
He expressed alarm, stating that the agreement undermines Indonesia’s national interests and affects its sovereign rights regarding resource exploitation within its territorial waters.
The agreement’s potential ramifications extend beyond Indonesia, possibly reshaping geopolitical dynamics in Southeast Asia and eliciting responses from major powers like the United States and Japan.
Hikmahanto Juwana, an esteemed international law expert at the University of Indonesia, noted that neighboring nations entrenched in disputes with China may now question Indonesia’s commitment to regional territorial integrity.
While the Indonesian government’s agreement with China might represent a pragmatic alliance with a significant global actor, it also risks creating instability in an already volatile region, according to insights from Muhammad Waffaa Kharisma, a researcher at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies.
He cautioned, “In the short term, this statement may provide Indonesia with immediate benefits by reducing tensions with China and mitigating confrontations in the South China Sea; however, in the long term, it risks Indonesia’s standing within the fabric of Southeast Asian relations, a potential slippery slope.”
**Interview Transcript: Eddy Pratomo on Indonesia-China Maritime Cooperation Agreement**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Eddy Pratomo, professor of international law at Diponegoro University and a former member of Indonesia’s law of the sea negotiation team. There’s been a lot of discussion lately regarding the recent maritime cooperation agreement between Indonesia and China. What do you think are the implications of this agreement for Indonesia’s sovereignty?
**Eddy Pratomo:** Thank you for having me. The implications of the agreement are indeed significant. Historically, Indonesia has firmly opposed China’s extensive claims in the South China Sea, particularly the nine-dash line, which encroaches upon our exclusive economic zone. However, with this joint statement acknowledging areas of overlapping claims, we appear to be moving toward a more conciliatory stance, which raises serious concerns about our territorial rights and sovereignty.
**Interviewer:** Many analysts are noting that this shift could undermine Indonesia’s national interests. Do you agree with this assessment?
**Eddy Pratomo:** Yes, I do. The recognition of overlapping claims could very well be seen as Indonesia softening its position on Beijing’s controversial claims. This is particularly alarming because it could empower China to apply pressure not only on Indonesia but also on other claimant nations in the South China Sea. The potential for increased tension in a region already fraught with disputes is high.
**Interviewer:** The Indonesian Foreign Ministry has emphasized that the agreement should not be seen as an endorsement of the nine-dash line. Do you find this reassuring?
**Eddy Pratomo:** While the Foreign Ministry’s clarification is essential, it strikes me as reactive rather than proactive. Their statement indicates a lack of alignment between Indonesia’s historical position and the recent diplomatic move. The insistence that the cooperation will not recognize the nine-dash line seems vague and lacks the robustness necessary to assure the public and concerned stakeholders.
**Interviewer:** Some experts worry about the focus of the cooperation on fisheries and conservation. Do you think this could limit Indonesia’s autonomy in managing its natural resources?
**Eddy Pratomo:** Absolutely. When a nation partners with another that has expansive claims over contested waters, it runs the risk of compromising its own regulatory authority. While fisheries conservation is crucial, it can inadvertently provide a semblance of legitimacy to claims that, under international law, lack merit. It is essential for Indonesia to maintain clear control over its resources, especially in areas like the North Natuna Sea, where we have legitimate rights.
**Interviewer:** What do you believe Indonesia should do moving forward to protect its interests in the South China Sea?
**Eddy Pratomo:** Indonesia must reaffirm its position on the legitimacy of its maritime boundaries and rights under international law, especially in relation to UNCLOS 1982. Moreover, it should engage constructively with ASEAN counterparts to maintain a unified front against any unjust territorial encroachments while ensuring that any agreements made do not compromise our sovereignty. Proactive diplomatic engagement is crucial in this complex geopolitical landscape.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Eddy, for sharing your insights on this crucial issue. It will be interesting to see how the situation develops in the South China Sea.
**Eddy Pratomo:** Thank you for having me. It is a vital issue, and I hope Indonesia navigates these waters with caution and determination.