Indonesia asks Japan to invest in islands near waters disputed with China

JAKARTA, Jan 10 (Reuters) - Indonesia's President Joko
Widodo on Friday asked Japan to step up investment in fisheries
and energy in some of its South China Sea islands following a
stand-off with China in waters that China claims in the area.
Widodo made the request for Japan to consider economic
opportunities in the Natuna islands during a visit to Jakarta by
Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, the president's
office said in a statement.
"I want to invite Japan to invest in Natuna," he told
Motegi, adding that Japan was one of Indonesia's major economic
partners.
Widodo visited Natuna on Wednesday to assert Indonesia's
sovereignty over the cluster of islands and the waters around
them, after reports Chinese coastguard and fishing vessels had
entered Indonesia's exclusive economic zone several times since
last month.
China has not claimed the Natuna islands themselves but says
it has nearby fishing rights within a self-proclaimed Nine-Dash
Line - a line on Chinese maps that it says shows its territory
and waters.
The line loops far south from China and includes most of the
South China Sea, but it is a claim that is not recognised
internationally. Vietnam, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and
Taiwan have rival claims in the South China Sea.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi told reporters
Widodo had asked Japan to invest in fisheries, energy and
tourism in Natuna.
"We also agreed to strengthen coastguard coordination," he
said.
Indonesia had stepped up air and sea patrols in the area and
summoned China's ambassador over the appearance of the ships. An
Indonesian military spokesman said the vessels left the area
after Widodo's trip. China says it is in contact with Indonesia through
diplomatic channels to resolve differences and uphold stability
in the region.
Motegi, speaking through a translator after a meeting with
Marsudi, did not refer to China but said Japan was wary about
the situation in the South China.
"We shared a serious concern regarding efforts to change
with force the status quo unilaterally and we confirmed
continuing close collaboration," he said.
Japan last year gave Indonesia 100 billion rupiah ($7.26
million) to build a fish market in Natuna, which will be named
Tsukiji after the famous Tokyo market, media reported.
Construction of the market in Natuna, and markets on other
Indonesian islands, will begin this year, Motegi said.