Beijing demanded Indonesia to release the eight Chinese fishermen it arrested and detained following a maritime confrontation that ensued between the two nations in the South China Sea last Saturday, reports said.

"The Chinese side urges the Indonesian side to immediately release the fishermen being captured and to assure their safety," China's Foreign Ministry told the Global Times.

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Last Saturday, a Chinese fishing boat was attacked and harassed by armed Indonesian vessels before Chinese coast guard came to its rescue. 

Members aboard

Eight crew members of the Chinese fishing boat were operating well within the "traditional Chinese fishing grounds." Indonesian authoritites tried to confiscate the boat but was stopped when Chinese coast guard came to their aid.

Although the Indonesian navy failed to confiscate the boat, it arrested eight crew members of the Chinese fishing vessel, Kway Fey 1008.

China's foreign ministry maintained that the boat did not enter Indonesian waters.

Exclusive economic zone

For its part, Jakarta reiterated that the Chinese fishing vessel was operating illegally when it encroached into its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) near the Indonesian-controlled Natuna Island in the South China Sea.

Indonesian naval officials said they were about to arrest the fishing vessel when the Chinese Coast Guard allegedly started ramming the boat back into international waters.

The Indonesian government has sent a protest letter to Sun Waide, China's charge d'affaires in Indonesia.

Bilateral relations

Weide echoed the statements of the Foreign Ministry and called on Jakarta to release the detained crew members.

"I asked the minister to release the eight fishermen detained by Indonesia," he said after being summoned by Susi Pudjiastuti, Indonesia's minister of fisheries and maritime affairs.

"I emphasized that we hope the Indonesian side can proceed from fundamental interest of our good bilateral relations and solve these kinds of issues," he added.

No rival claims

Indonesia has no rival claims to the reefs and islands with China in the South China Sea and has acted as an 'honest broker' between China and the  claimant countries over the years, reports said.

But Susi said Indonesia felt "sabotaged" after last Saturday's maritime clash in its efforts to maintain peace and stability in the disputed waters.

Susi said Jakarta may take the case to an international court. 

TagsIndonesia, Natuna Islands, Exclusive economic zone, fishing vessel, South China Sea, international court, protest letter, china