Indonesia’s Navy said on Tuesday that poaching by Chinese trawlers in its waters was a “ruse” to stake Beijing’s claim to fishing grounds, after the latest clash in the South China Sea.
The confrontation on Friday near Indonesia’s Natuna Islands was the third such skirmish in the area this year between Chinese and Indonesian vessels, as tensions mount in the waterway over Beijing’s growing assertiveness.
Indonesian warships fired warning shots at a group of foreign vessels allegedly fishing illegally and detained a Chinese-flagged boat and seven crew. China protested after the clash and said one fisherman was injured. Jakarta has said none of the detained crew were hurt.
The commander of the Indonesian navy’s western fleet said he suspected the incursions were “structured”, indicating the Chinese Government had “given its blessing”.