Editing Natuna Regency (section)

===Maritime administration and Chinese claim===
Indonesia's [[exclusive economic zone|EEZ]] extends 200 nautical miles (370&nbsp;km) from its shores (as per the 1982 UNCLOS), which, around Natuna, means it is slightly intersected by China's [[nine-dash line]], defining its widely disputed claim to most of the [[South China Sea]]. In 2014–2015, the presence of the [[Indonesian National Armed Forces]] on the islands was reinforced, which the [[Government of Indonesia|Indonesian government]] hoped would reduce the chance of any conflict.<ref name="BBC14" /> Then from late 2019, Chinese fishing vessels increased illegal activity within the EEZ, escorted by a [[China Coast Guard|Chinese Coast Guard]] vessel. Indonesia responded with a formal diplomatic protest to Beijing<ref>[https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2019/12/31/indonesia-issues-protest-to-beijing-over-chinese-vessel-trespassing-in-natuna.html Indonesia issues protest to Beijing over Chinese vessel trespassing in Natuna], [[Jakarta Post]], 31 December 2019</ref> and then deployed to the region a further 600 troops and eight [[Indonesian Navy|navy]] warships, along with aerial support. The naval presence included [[Ahmad Yani-class frigate|Ahmad Yani-class]] [[frigate]]s, [[Bung Tomo-class corvette|Bung Tomo-class]] [[corvette]]s, and [[Parchim-class corvette|Kapitan Pattimura-class]] [[Anti-submarine warfare|ASW]] corvettes, while aerial support came from [[Naval aviation]] [[CASA/IPTN CN-235|CN-235 MPA]] aircraft, four [[Indonesian Air Force]] [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon|F-16s]] and a [[Boeing 737|Boeing 737-2x9]], with [[British Aerospace|BAE]] [[BAE Systems Hawk|Hawk]] aircraft nearby on alert. A visit to the area by President Joko Widodo in early January 2020 reinforced Indonesia's resolve not to tolerate such incursions.<ref>[https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1501646-20200108.htm Indonesia deploys warships, jets amid China spat], [[RTHK]], 9 Jan 2020</ref>

During a November 2024 state visit by Indonesian President [[Prabowo Subianto|Probowo Subianto]] to China, Indonesia and China signed a memorandum of understanding for "joint maritime development" in the area of the two countries "overlapping claims" near the Natuna Islands.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=2024-11-11 |title=Will Indonesia-China development pact validate Beijing's South China Sea claims? |url=https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3286097/indonesias-china-pact-natuna-islands-criticised-grave-mistake-risks-territorial-rights |access-date=2024-11-12 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}</ref> Indonesia's Foreign Ministry subsequently issued a statement that the memorandum did not impact Indonesia's sovereignty or rights in the area and stating that in Indonesia's view the Chinese claims do not have a legal basis.<ref name=":4" /> Critics of the memorandum who were quoted by the [[South China Morning Post]] contended that the wording could support China's position regarding the South China Sea claims.<ref name=":4" />