"In the White Paper, China claims great part of the South China Sea and several isles, but the claim is not based on the nine-dash line," Hikmahanto Juwana, who is a professor at the University of Indonesia said here on Friday.
China has issued a White Paper entitled, China Adheres to the Position of Settling through Negotiation the Relevant Disputes between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea shortly after an international tribunal ruled in favor of the Philippines in its dispute with China.
Among the many interesting features of the 66-page document, the part that stands out is the section outlining China's historical claim.
Juwana said China's claim is based on the control of the Nanhai Zhudao Islands or Spratly Islands for 2000 years. According to the white paper, it is the Philippines that has occupied Nanhai Zhudao Islands.
"In the White Paper, China also claims maritime rights and interests. China used the term maritime rights and interests during an incident when Indonesia upheld its law enforcement in its exclusive economic zone against Chinese fishermen in June," he said.
In this respect, Indonesia must be wary of China's white paper. Not only does China reject the arbitration's ruling, but it also lays a new claim. The claim this time appears to follow provisions in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982.
Editor: Ade P Marboen
Copyright © ANTARA 2016
