Indonesia renames area in South China Sea

Indonesia has renamed an area in the South China Sea as the North Natuna Sea, an effort seen as an attempt to reject China's "nine-dash line" claim.

Indonesian officials unveil new map. Photo: Reuters

"We want to update the new name of the sea area in line with practice: North SeaNatuna",Reuterstoday quotegrandfatherArif Havas Oegroseno, an official in charge of maritime sovereignty at Indonesia's Ministry of Maritime Affairs,speak.

This sea area, which Indonesia names the North Natuna Sea, is located north ofIndonesia's exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea.GrandfatherOegrosenoadded that the northern part of the exclusive economic zone is an area of ​​oil exploitation.

Observers say this is an action by Indonesia to reject China's "nine-dash line" claim covering almost the entire East Sea.

Indonesia insists it is not a claimant in the South China Sea, but it has a conflict over fishing rights with China around the archipelago.Natuna.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said he had not heard of Indonesia's renaming of the area in the South China Sea, but called the renaming "complete nonsense".

Natuna Islands. Graphics: Developmentadvisor

According to VNE