Indonesian naval vessel fires shots at Chinese fishing boat as tensions escalate

An Indonesian naval boat has fired at a Chinese fishing vessel injuring one person, China's foreign ministry has said, marking the third such confrontation this year as tensions increase concerning the South China Sea. According to Indonesia's navy, warning shots were fired at several vessels carrying Chinese flags that it accused of illegal fishing, but said there were no injuries. Jakarta objects to China's inclusion of part of the Indonesian-ruled Natuna Islands within an area laid claim to by Beijing. China doesn't dispute Indonesia's sovereignty over the Natuna Islands, but says the area is subject to overlapping claims. As we noted last week, Indonesia is stiffening its stance on the South China Sea in response to frequently more Chinese fishing boat violations within Indonesia's exclusive economic zone.

An Indonesian naval vessel has fired on a Chinese fishing boat, injuring one person, according to China’s foreign ministry.

The incident is the third reported confrontation between the two nations this year as regional tensions mount in the South China Sea.

Indonesia’s navy said it had fired warning shots at several boats with Chinese flags that it accused of fishing illegally near the Natuna Islands – but a spokesman told Reuters there had been no injuries.

Indonesia is not part of a broader regional dispute over China’s reclamation activities in the South China Sea and Beijing’s claims on swathes of key waterways.

But Jakarta has objected to China’s inclusion of parts of the Indonesian-ruled Natuna Islands within a “nine-dash line” that Beijing marks on maps to show its claim on the body of water.

China has said it does not dispute Indonesia’s sovereignty over the Natuna Islands, although the statement said the area where the incident occurred is subject to overlapping interests.

The Indonesian warship damaged one Chinese fishing boat and detained another with seven people on board, foreign ministry spokesman Hua Chunying said on the ministry website on Sunday.

Hua said the Chinese coast guard rescued the injured fisherman, who was transported to the southern Chinese island province of Hainan for treatment where his injuries were under control.

It was unclear from the statement whether Indonesia was still holding the vessel and those aboard.

Beijing had made official protests over the incident, the ministry said in its statement, and urged Indonesia not to take any more actions to complicate the situation.