China admits fishing in Indonesian-claimed waters in South China Sea, vows to resolve things in ‘friendly manner’

• China’s Ambassador Xiao Qian says he’s confident Beijing and Jakarta can ‘properly manage the situation’Indonesia’s

• North Natuna Sea overlaps slightly with China’s ‘nine-dash’ line which marks its expansive claims in the South China Sea

Kyodo
Published: 1:00am, 17 Jan, 2020

China admitted on Thursday that its fishermen had recently caught fish in disputed waters claimed by Indonesia as part of its exclusive economic zone and by the Chinese as traditional fishing grounds.

China’s Ambassador Xiao Qian told reporters after meeting with Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD that Chinese fishermen entered the waters on the southern edge of disputed South China Sea for a period of time last December to catch fish.

Suggesting there is no cause for alarm, Xiao said he is confident that the two governments can “properly manage the situation” and “properly solve the problem”.

“Even between friends, between good neighbours, there might be different views, there might be disputes, but it does not matter … We can talk about many things in a friendly manner,” he added.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo stands on the deck of an Indonesian navy ship at the Selat Lampa Port, Natuna Islands on January 8, 2020. Photo: Indonesian Presidential Office via AP

Separately, Mahfud said the ambassador told him that Chinese authorities have been pressured by fishermen to continue to allow them to operate in the contested waters, which Indonesia views as illegal.