印度尼西亚主张寻求平衡海索赔以及经济利益

Indonesia Seeks to Balance Sea Claims, Economic Interests 印度尼西亚主张寻求平衡海索赔以及经济利益

Indonesia says its armed forces will expand their watch around a group of islands in the South China Sea to keep away Chinese fishing crews.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo said in October that his government would never compromise on claims around the Natuna Islands.

The Natunas are a group of about 270 very small islands and land formations northwest of Borneo.

Chinese ships often sail in nearby waters. China claims most of the South China Sea and the area’s natural resources, such as fish, oil and natural gas.

Widodo visited the Natuna islands during military exercises in September and October.

An Australian researcher says many Indonesian officials believe they can press territorial¹ claims to the islands and develop economic links with China at the same time. David McRae is a researcher with the Asia Institute at the University of Melbourne.

“There’s a strong feeling among many Indonesian officials that it can both assert its rights over the area it claims as its exclusive economic zone around the Natunas and develop strong economic ties with China at the same time.”

Last year, President Widodo called on China and Indonesia to increase two-way trade to $150 billion by the year 2020. That would double total trade between the countries from 2014 levels, according to the World Bank.

The two sides already have strong trade ties. Indonesia imports more from China than any other country. China also is Indonesia’s second biggest export partner.

But Indonesia’s cabinet has developed plans to claim the area around the Natunas as an exclusive economic zone. China says its boats have long fished in the same waters.

Indonesian fisherman oppose illegal fishing

Indonesians, especially fishers, dislike illegal fishing. Yet illegal fishing has become a problem in Indonesia because of a lack of enforcement around the country’s 13,000 islands.

Yet Indonesia has been increasing enforcement efforts in the South China Sea. And Widodo has said his country should harvest fish and recover the gas that are said to be in and around the Natunas.

In March, a Chinese coast guard vessel² prevented Indonesian officials from stopping a Chinese ship. Two months later, Indonesia’s navy stopped a Chinese fishing boat. Then, in June, the navy fired on another Chinese boat. One sailor may have been injured.

Researcher David McRae notes that China has not protested or threatened economic measures against Indonesia.

Experts say Indonesia mainly has tried to prevent problems around the Natuna islands, instead of reacting to them. Indonesian officials also avoid discussing past incidents or making warnings like the Philippines did from 2010 to early this year. In 2012, China reduced trade and cut back on visitors to the Philippines.

Trade between the sides continues

Last year, Widodo and Chinese President Xi Jinping signed eight agreements. They were partly meant to increase Chinese involvement in the development of roads, ports and other infrastructure³. And this year, both sides agreed to work together on energy, agriculture and building an industrial park.

As construction projects become too competitive at home, Chinese companies are looking overseas, experts say. The Chinese government has described Indonesia as part of a “maritime⁴ silk road.” China wants to develop trade and relations with countries across this area, stretching from Asia to Europe.

Some experts say the “silk road” idea increases the importance of the ties between China and Indonesia. Natalie Sambhi is a researcher at the Perth USAsia Centre in Australia.

“Indonesia is an important component⁵ of the way China sees the strategic landscape in the Asia Pacific, particularly as a key state in Southeast Asia, and it would be a boon⁶ for China to maintain its relationships with Indonesia on the basis of its wanting to implement⁷ things like its 21st Century maritime silk road and its one belt, one road initiative.”

But some observers say Indonesia can press its territorial claims in the South China Sea because it does not depend much on China economically.

Carl Baker⁸ directs programs at the Pacific Forum⁹ CSIS in Honolulu, a foreign policy research group. He says Indonesia is less dependent on China than other countries in Southeast Asia.

“Indonesia feels less concerned about Chinese response because it’s less dependent on Chinese invest and infrastructure development than some of the other more dependent countries in Southeast Asia.”

Indonesia is a major exporter of commodities, such as agricultural products. The country also has a large market at home of 250 million people. Total exports were valued at more than $176 billion dollars in 2014.

Indonesia has been a member of the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank since January. China is the bank’s biggest shareholder¹⁰. However, Indonesia’s biggest export partner is Japan.

Words in This Story

exclusive – adj. available to only one person or group

authorities – n. people who have power to make decisions and enforce rules

strategic – adj. relating to a long-term plan to reach a goal

boon – n. something that is helpful, that provides a good outcome

implement – v. to put in place or into action

initiative – n. the power or opportunity to do something before other do it

vessel – n. a ship or boat

commodities –n. goods that are traded widely

1 territorial   

adj.领土的，领地的

参考例句：

• The country is fighting to preserve its territorial integrity.该国在为保持领土的完整而进行斗争。
• They were not allowed to fish in our territorial waters.不允许他们在我国领海捕鱼。

2 vessel   

n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管

参考例句：

• The vessel is fully loaded with cargo for Shanghai.这艘船满载货物驶往上海。
• You should put the water into a vessel.你应该把水装入容器中。

3 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

4 maritime   

adj.海的，海事的，航海的，近海的，沿海的

参考例句：

• Many maritime people are fishermen.许多居于海滨的人是渔夫。
• The temperature change in winter is less in maritime areas.冬季沿海的温差较小。

5 component   

n.组成部分，成分，元件；adj.组成的，合成的

参考例句：

• Each component is carefully checked before assembly.每个零件在装配前都经过仔细检查。
• Blade and handle are the component parts of a knife.刀身和刀柄是一把刀的组成部分。

6 boon   

n.恩赐，恩物，恩惠

参考例句：

• A car is a real boon when you live in the country.在郊外居住，有辆汽车确实极为方便。
• These machines have proved a real boon to disabled people.事实证明这些机器让残疾人受益匪浅。

7 implement   

n.(pl.)工具，器具；vt.实行，实施，执行

参考例句：

• Don't undertake a project unless you can implement it.不要承担一项计划，除非你能完成这项计划。
• The best implement for digging a garden is a spade.在花园里挖土的最好工具是铁锹。

8 baker   

n.面包师

参考例句：

• The baker bakes his bread in the bakery.面包师在面包房内烤面包。
• The baker frosted the cake with a mixture of sugar and whites of eggs.面包师在蛋糕上撒了一层白糖和蛋清的混合料。

9 forum   

n.论坛，讨论会

参考例句：

• They're holding a forum on new ways of teaching history.他们正在举行历史教学讨论会。
• The organisation would provide a forum where problems could be discussed.这个组织将提供一个可以讨论问题的平台。

10 shareholder   

n.股东，股票持有人

参考例句：

• The account department have prepare a financial statement for the shareholder.财务部为股东准备了一份财务报表。
• A shareholder may transfer his shares in accordance with the law.股东持有的股份可以依法转让。