Indonesia hopes fishermen can net its South China Sea claimsIndonesia wants to send hundreds of fishermen to the Natuna Islands to assert its sovereignty over nearby areas of the South China Sea (called East Sea by Vietnam) to which China says it also has claims. Indonesia is not part of the broader dispute over claims in the South China Sea and it has remained neutral following the ruling, calling for peace and stability. Indonesia's foreign minister, Retno Marsudi, said no one wanted conflict in the South China Sea and she called on all parties to avoid raising tension. But Indonesia objects to China's inclusion of waters around Natuna being included within its "nine-dash line", a demarcation on China's maps to show its claims. Ramli said he would seek cabinet approval this month for the relocation of fishermen from the crowded island of Java to Natuna.

Source: VietNamNet News July 14, 2016 03:11 UTC