Indonesian MP: China now demanding Indonesia to stop oil drilling in disputed waters

An Indonesian Naval cadets uses binoculars as he monitors the signal from the KRI Diponegoro-365 during a joint excercise on guarding Indonesia's borders, in the North Natuna sea, Riau islands, Indonesia, October 1, 2021, in this photo taken October 1, 2021 by Antara Foto. - Reuters

JAKARTA, Dec 1 (dpa): China demanded Indonesia stop oil-drilling activities in a diplomatic note on the grounds they were taking place in an area Beijing claims as part of its historic rights, an Indonesian lawmaker said on Wednesday.

China's protest note was sent several months ago as its research ship was criss-crossing a section of the South China Sea which Indonesia says is part of its exclusive economic zone off the Natuna Islands.