‘We’re on full alert’: China’s aggressive South China Sea move
China has been seizing control of the South China Sea for years – but its latest aggressive move has backfired.
(News Corp Australia) – Indonesia has reacted with anger after Chinese fishing boats protected by coast guard warships forced their way into its territorial waters.
Jakarta has mobilised its military and raised its combat alert status in the Natuna archipelago in response to the incursions which began late last year.
“Our Navy and air force are armed and have been deployed to the North Natuna Sea,” military spokesman Major General Sisriadi said at the weekend. This includes six warships intended to “drive out the foreign vessels”.
“We are not only deploying ships, but also fighter jets. We are on full alert,” Sisriadi said.
The Natuna archipelago occupies a particularly strategic spot in the South China Sea. Its waters contain significant oil and gas reserves. But it also sits astride arterial shipping lanes passing through the narrow Malacca Strait.
