In a dire warning to neighboring nations -- especially China -- the governments of Indonesia and Malaysia have promised to sink Chinese and other foreign fishing vessels intruding into the waters they claim as part of their exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea.

The threat is directed mainly at China whose fishing vessels have continuously violated Indonesian waters sometimes escorted by China Coast Guard ships. The sudden resolve by both nations follows a July 12 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague that declared illegal China's "nine-dash line" it used as the basis for its ownership of the South China Sea. The Philippines successfully sued China before the court.

Like Us on Facebook

Indonesia will conduct the most spectacular demonstration of its resolve to keep its waters inviolate with a mass sinking of 71 foreign vessels from China and other nations on August 17, Indonesia's Independence Day.

In 2015, also on its Independence Day, Indonesia sank 41 fishing vessels from China, Vietnam, the Philippines and other nations after President Joko Widodo promised to get tough on illegal fishing in Indonesian waters by foreign fishing vessels, especially those from China.

Widodo's spectacular solution is to blow up foreign fishing vessels and trawlers caught trespassing in Indonesian waters, and hype the dramatic destruction in the media.

Indonesia's Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries said it had caught 29 ships illegally fishing across Indonesia in July, including off the Natuna Islands archipelago owned by Indonesia but claimed by China that asserts the islands lie within its illegal "nine-dash line."

Widodo made a highly publicized visit to the Natunas last June in response to frequent incursions by Chinese vessels. China responded to Widodo's visit by issuing an official statement saying the waters off the Natuna's were China's traditional fishing ground.

The Indonesian Navy later captured one Chinese ship after firing warning shots at it despite calls by an escorting Chinese Coast Guard to release the ship. Indonesia seized two tonnes of fish they claim was illegally caught.

Other encounters with Chinese boats previously occurred in March and May and the Indonesians captured other Chinese boats in the same waters.

Malaysia for its part has followed Indonesia's lead and earlier this month said it will sink vessels caught fishing illegally in its waters. Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ahmad Shabery Cheek said the sunken foreign ships will be used as artificial reefs.

TagsIndonesia, Malaysia, china, foreign fishing vessels, Permanent Court of Arbitration, President Joko Widodo