The Effect of People's Republic of China (PRC) Territorial Claim on South China Sea (SCS) to Indonesia (2014 - 2016)

Abstract

Currently, China has not abandoned its policy of resolving the contentious South China Sea (SCS) issue through peaceful means. China’s recent state behavior and unilateral military measures like naval blockades, and xenophobic rhetoric have all given the impression that overconfident China is increasingly shedding its soft-power image in resolving both the East China Sea and South China Sea disputes. China as the world’s 2nd largest economy which has already aroused deep suspicions among its neighbors by increasing its national defense budget in 2014 by 12 percent to USD132 billion, making it second in the world only to the U.S’s defense spending of USD528 billion. China’s recent measures such as new fisheries laws, the establishment of an Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) in the East China Sea and, most recently, a naval blockade around Second Thomas Shoal, known in China as the Ren’ai Reef and in the Philippines as Ayungin which is in the SCS have aggravated regional fears. In the past, China has resorted to military options to occupy territories that were claimed by other countries. In mid March 1988, China deployed its troops to seize the reefs of Co Lin (Collins), Len Dao (Lansdowne) and Gac Ma (Johnson South) in the Spratly archipelago, also known as Truong Sa in Vietnamese from Vietnam. China refers to Johnson South Reef as Chiguajiao, which is now under Beijing control. It raised question why China now resort to military options again in pursuing its South China Sea unilateral claim. None of Asian countries wants a war but China’s recent words and deeds are not only alarming but are moving in that direction. However, the main problem with China is that claims almost all of the SCS as its own, based on a vague Ushaped line known as the nine-dash line, an assertion that is fiercely contested by Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei. Indonesia, which is not a claimant state, is more worried about China’s unilateral claims and its assertiveness, which could threaten regional peace and stability as well as the unity of ASEAN. China has now included part of Natuna Islands waters within Indonesia’s Riau Islands province in its territorial map based on the nine-dash line. It is a serious external threat to Indonesia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. This research attempts to explain China’s territorial claim on Indonesia territory which interpreted differently by decision-makers. It used descriptive analytical methodology. It needs appropriate mechanism to prevent open conflict and promote cooperation among disagreeing parties.