China's aggressive expansion into the South China Sea has been capturing global attention for some time now and has prompted the United States to increase patrols and even consider a permanent naval presence in the disputed waters. China and Indonesia currently have no territorial disputes in the region, however, recent territorial incursions into the resource-rich waters off the Natuna Islands by Chinese fishing boats backed by Coast Guard vessels have resulted in both diplomatic protests and naval intervention by Indonesia. In late June, President Joko Widodo held a cabinet meeting on an Indonesian warship in Natuna waters and the Indonesian Navy has deployed five warships to the region to protect Indonesian interests. Whether Indonesia's tough stance will damage relations with China is yet to be seen however , unlike other nations in the region, Indonesia has shown that it is both willing and prepared to use force to protect its territorial waters. The following articles illustrate how this crisis has unfolded and played out since the beginning of the year.
Defense and Development Key for Natuna Islands: Jokowi
http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/defense-development-key-natuna-islands-jokowi/
Jokowi Holds Cabinet Meeting on Board Warship at Natuna
http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/jokowi-holds-cabinet-meeting-board-warship-natuna/
Five Warships Stationed in Natuna After Another Standoff With China
http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/five-warships-stationed-natuna-another-standoff-china/
Protect Indonesia's Sovereignty and Maintain Good Relations With China, Jokowi Says After Another Natuna Sea Standoff
http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/protect-indonesias-sovereignty-maintain-good-relations-china-jokowi-says-another-natuna-sea-standoff/
Indonesia to Summon Chinese Representative Over Natuna Incident
http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/indonesia-summon-chinese-representative-natuna-incident/
Beijing Protests as Indonesian Warship Fires on Chinese Fishing Boat, Injuring One
http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/beijing-protests-indonesian-warship-fires-chinese-fishing-boat-injuring-one/
Indonesia Doubles Down on Natuna Waters Policy After Chinese Fishing Vessel Found
http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/indonesia-doubles-natuna-waters-policy-chinese-fishing-vessel-found/
Indonesian Navy Close to Another Standoff With China in Natuna Waters
http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/indonesian-navy-close-another-standoff-china-natuna-waters/
China Protests Seizure of Fishing Vessel by Indonesian Authorities
http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/china-protests-seizure-fishing-vessel-indonesian-authorities/
Indonesia Sends Protest to China Over Natuna Islands Standoff
http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/indonesia-sends-protest-china-natuna-islands-standoff/
Indonesia to Summon Chinese Ambassador Over Natuna Islands Standoff
http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/indonesia-summon-chinese-ambassador-standoff-natuna-islands/
Indonesia: Natuna Incident Not Related to South China Sea Dispute
http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/indonesia-natuna-incident-not-related-south-china-sea-dispute/
Indonesia Says It Feels Peace Efforts on South China Sea Sabotaged
http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/indonesia-says-feels-peace-efforts-south-china-sea-sabotaged/
Indonesia Raises Defense Spending, Despite Budget Cuts, Following Natuna Incident
http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/business/indonesia-raises-defense-spending-despite-budget-cuts-natuna-incident/
Indonesia to Station Fighter Jets, Submarines in Natuna Sea
http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/indonesia-to-station-fighter-jets-submarines-in-natuna-sea/
Commentary: How to Deal With the South China Sea Dispute
http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/opinion/commentary-deal-south-china-sea-dispute/
Indonesia Hopes Fishermen can Net Its South China Sea Claims
http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/business/indonesia-hopes-fishermen-can-net-south-china-sea-claims/
Court Ruling on S. China Sea Should Firm Indonesia's Resolve: Lawmaker
http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/court-ruling-on-s-china-sea-should-firm-indonesias-resolve-lawmaker/
