Indonesia Deploys Fighter Jets in Stand-off With China

Indonesia's President Joko Widodo (C) along with Military Chief Gatot Nurmantyo (L) and Air Force Commander Agus Supriatna walk past fighter jets and weapons during a military exercise on Natuna Island, Riau Islands province, Indonesia on Oct. 6, 2016. Beawiharta/Reuters

JAKARTA—Indonesia’s air force deployed four fighter jets to the South China Sea on Jan. 7 in a stand-off with Beijing after Jakarta protested over a Chinese violation of its exclusive economic zone.

The stand-off began in mid-December when a Chinese coast guard vessel, accompanying Chinese fishing boats, entered waters off the coast of Indonesia’s northern Natuna islands, prompting Jakarta to summon Beijing’s ambassador.