CONFLICTS BETWEEN CHINESE AND INDONESIA IN NORTH NATUNA SEA

Abstract

The tension of the South China Sea dispute that involves Tiongkok and some countries of the
member of southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is getting heats up. The PCA decision states that
Tiongkok claims on the South China Sea have no valid legal basis. However, Tiongkok
responds strongly rejected the decision of the PCA. Tiongkok’s rejection impacted Indonesia,
especially on the border of Indonesian territorial waters in the South China Sea. This study
aims to identify the Indonesian position and the government's actual action to handle the
conflict that occurs because of China's claim on the North Natuna Sea. This study followed the
systematic literature review method that consists of four steps, designing a review, conducting
a review, analyzing, and writing the review. The study's data were collected using
documentation techniques and taken from books, articles, and national and international
maritime regulations. The results of the study show that: (1) Based on the national and
international maritime regulations, Indonesia has a strong position to protect the North Natuna
Sea from Cina’s claim; and (2) the efforts done by the Indonesian Government are launching
protests regarding China's claims to parts of the Natuna Sea waters, based on UNCLOS 1982
and doing diplomatic approach.