A Chinese coast guard ship was expelled from Indonesia‘s waters for the second time this week after initially interfering with a survey conducted by the state energy company Pertamina in the South China Sea, according to Indonesia’s maritime security agency on Thursday.

Although Chinese coast guard vessels have frequently been observed in Indonesia’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), these latest incidents occurred shortly after Prabowo Subianto assumed the presidency of Indonesia.

On Monday, the Chinese vessel claimed that the area fell under China’s jurisdiction, as stated by Indonesia’s maritime security agency, Bakamla. China’s foreign ministry has not yet responded to requests for comment.

“Bakamla will continue to patrol and closely monitor the waters of North Natuna to ensure that seismic data collection proceeds without infringing on Indonesia’s sovereignty,” the agency announced on Monday.

On Thursday, the Chinese vessel reappeared but was intercepted and expelled once more, with no further details provided regarding its activities. China maintains its sovereignty claims through a fleet of coast guard ships operating throughout the South China Sea, which some neighboring countries accuse of aggressive behavior aimed at disrupting energy and fishing operations. China generally asserts that its coast guard acts lawfully to prevent territorial violations in what it considers its waters.

In 2021, ships from Indonesia and China closely monitored each other for several months near a submersible oil rig that was successfully conducting appraisals in the Natuna Sea. During this period, China pressured Indonesia to cease drilling activities in what it claimed as its territory.

Recent developments occurred as Indonesia’s newly appointed defense minister, Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, held discussions with the Chinese ambassador in Jakarta on Thursday.

The defense ministry’s statement indicated that Sjafrie aims to enhance defense collaboration with China, including the possibility of joint military exercises, but did not address the maritime incidents that transpired earlier this week.