Diplomatic Law Analysis in the Natuna Sea Dispute Between Indonesia and China

Abstract

This article analyzes the use of diplomatic law in the North Natuna Sea dispute between Indonesia and China from the perspective of modern international law. This article aims to clarify the conflict between China’s historical claims symbolized by the nine-dash line and the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) regime under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), as well as to assess the effectiveness of Indonesia’s diplomatic instruments. Using a normative approach based on conceptual and analytical perspectives on international regulations and diplomatic practice, this study finds that although Indonesia has used various diplomatic means, their effectiveness is constrained by geopolitical factors and power asymmetry. This article contributes to the scholarship on diplomatic law by highlighting the importance of international legal legitimacy and multilateral dialogue in the resolution of maritime disputes.