A New Game in the South China Sea?

Summary

This video explores Indonesia's maritime cooperation with China, focusing on a joint statement between their Presidents. The speaker examines Indonesia’s stance on the South China Sea, particularly regarding China’s nine-dash line (9DL). While Indonesia does not explicitly recognize the 9DL, the video questions how Indonesia can claim overlapping maritime areas without acknowledging China’s territorial claim. The discussion touches on the implications for regional relationships, international law (UNCLOS), and the broader legal and political complexities of maritime cooperation in the South China Sea.

Takeaways

• 😀 Indonesia and China have reached a joint statement on maritime cooperation, focusing on overlapping claims in the South China Sea.
• 😀 The joint statement does not explicitly mention the 'Nine-Dash Line,' but Indonesia’s recognition of overlapping claims is inferred to imply acknowledgment of China’s claims.
• 😀 Indonesia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a press release clarifying that cooperation does not equate to recognizing the Nine-Dash Line.
• 😀 The Nine-Dash Line, when mapped, overlaps with Indonesia's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), leading to questions about how overlapping claims can exist without recognition of China’s claims.
• 😀 Despite Indonesia’s clarification, the overlap between Indonesia’s maritime claims and China’s Nine-Dash Line raises legal and diplomatic concerns.
• 😀 Indonesia’s recognition of China’s maritime claims could potentially strain relationships with other regional countries that reject the Nine-Dash Line.
• 😀 The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982) is central to Indonesia’s maritime entitlements, which do not overlap with China’s claims in the South China Sea.
• 😀 Indonesia’s maritime claims are legally grounded in UNCLOS 1982, while China’s Nine-Dash Line is not, making direct comparison between the two claims problematic.
• 😀 While the joint development with China is seen as an opportunity for collaboration, the legality and scope of such cooperation, especially in disputed areas, remain contentious.
• 😀 Indonesia’s engagement with China could lead to a shift in regional dynamics, positioning China as a new ‘neighbor,’ which may have significant geopolitical implications for the Southeast Asian region.

Q & A

What is the main topic discussed in the video?

The video primarily discusses the maritime cooperation between Indonesia and China, particularly focusing on the implications of their joint development agreement in areas of overlapping maritime claims in the South China Sea.

What does the joint statement between Indonesia and China say about their maritime cooperation?

The joint statement indicates that Indonesia and China have reached a common understanding on joint development in areas of overlapping claims, which implicitly refers to the South China Sea where both countries have competing maritime interests.

Why is the Nine-Dash Line significant in this context?

The Nine-Dash Line is China's territorial claim in the South China Sea, which overlaps with Indonesia’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Indonesia’s cooperation with China on joint development could be seen as implicitly acknowledging this claim, even though Indonesia has not explicitly recognized it.

Does Indonesia explicitly recognize the Nine-Dash Line according to the video?

No, according to the video, Indonesia does not explicitly recognize the Nine-Dash Line. The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a statement clarifying that their cooperation with China does not imply recognition of China’s claim in the South China Sea.

What is the key contradiction raised in the video regarding Indonesia’s position?

The contradiction is that Indonesia’s cooperation with China on joint development in areas of overlapping maritime claims appears to acknowledge China’s Nine-Dash Line, even though Indonesia denies recognizing it. The video questions how Indonesia can engage in joint development without recognizing the validity of China’s claim.

What is the legal basis for Indonesia’s maritime entitlements?

Indonesia’s maritime entitlements are based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which is a legal framework that governs maritime rights and territorial claims. The video contrasts this with China’s Nine-Dash Line, which is not based on UNCLOS.

What is the potential impact of Indonesia’s position on its regional relationships?

Indonesia’s cooperation with China, which could be seen as implicitly acknowledging the Nine-Dash Line, may strain its relationships with other countries in the region, such as the Philippines and Vietnam, which have rejected China’s claims in the South China Sea.

How does the video distinguish between 'overlapping claims' and 'joint development'?

The video emphasizes that the concept of 'overlapping claims' should not be confused with 'joint development.' While the two countries may have overlapping maritime claims, the legal context of their maritime entitlements is different, with Indonesia’s claims based on UNCLOS and China’s on the Nine-Dash Line.

What are the possible geopolitical consequences of Indonesia's stance on China's Nine-Dash Line?

If Indonesia is perceived to implicitly recognize China’s Nine-Dash Line, it could affect its diplomatic standing in the region, especially with other Southeast Asian nations that oppose China’s claims. This could lead to tensions or a shift in alliances.

What does the video suggest about the nature of the cooperation between Indonesia and China?

The video suggests that while Indonesia is open to collaboration with China, the critical question is what they are collaborating on and where it happens. The video stresses that the cooperation should be based on internationally recognized legal frameworks, like UNCLOS, rather than China’s unilateral Nine-Dash Line.