International Legal Implications of the North Natuna Maritime Dispute: A Review of Indonesia–China Tensions in the Past Two Years

The dispute in the North Natuna Sea between Indonesia and China has emerged as one of the most prominent public international law issues in the past two years. China’s unilateral claim through the nine-dash line contradicts the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which both countries have ratified. Indonesia consistently rejects the claim, asserting its sovereign rights over its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). This article analyzes the recent tensions, including maritime incursions, diplomatic responses, and the implications for regional stability and Indonesia’s position in international law. Using a normative legal method and a case study approach, the study finds that while UNCLOS provides a strong legal foundation for Indonesia, the lack of effective enforcement mechanisms in international law poses a major challenge to resolving the dispute.