Just Earth News | @justearthnews | 29 Dec 2021, 11:04 am Print
Image: File photo by Indian Navy via Wikimedia Creative Commons
Beijing: China has directed Indonesia to halt an oil and natural gas development project in the South China Sea.
China claimed Indonesia has infringed into its territorial waters, media reports said.
The exploratory drilling began in July near the Natuna islands within Indonesia's exclusive economic zone, which overlaps China's expansive "nine-dash line" territorial claim covering much of the sea, reports Nikkei Asia.
In addition to the protests, China has sent coast guard vessels into the area to increase pressure, Indonesian government sources told Nikkei Asia, citing eyewitness accounts.
China has territorial disputes across the South China Sea. The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have all made claims. Beijing has intensified activity near the Natuna islands since 2019, escalating tensions with Jakarta, the Japanese media reported.
- 'Constructive engagement', says Russian foreign ministry on Trump win amid reports claiming Putin privately congratulated president-elect on victory
- 'Unprecedented and powerful mandate': Donald Trump storms back to White House winning dramatic US Prez polls
- A star is born, Donald Trump lauds Elon Musk in his victory speech after US polls victory
- Donald Trump set for a comeback as US President, wins key swing states
- Donald Trump takes huge lead as counting begins in US elections, Kamala Harris faces uphill battle