Indonesia has stepped up air and navy patrols around the Natuna Islands in the South China Sea after being reported to have found Chinese and US vessels nearby. It is in the midst of reports that Chinese survey vessels operated in tuna blocks, an important oil and gas field in the region. However, Jakarta was reported to have claimed that the vessel was on the high seas and "did not cause interference." [Al Jazeera.](//www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/9/17/indonesia-increases-sea-patrols) Last week, Indonesian Navy Western Fleet Commander Arsyad Abdullah told reporters that five naval vessels had been deployed to the North Natsuna Sea with the assistance…
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