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Earlier on Monday, the Indonesian foreign minister said a Chinese coastguard vessel had "breached" Indonesia's sovereign rights when it prevented Indonesian authorities from detaining a Chinese fishing vessel in waters near the contested South China Sea.

China says its fishing vessel was operating in "traditional Chinese fishing grounds".

"Indonesia has for years been pursuing and promoting peace in the South China Sea. With yesterday's incident we feel interrupted and sabotaged in our efforts," fisheries minister Susi Pudjiastuti told reporters after meeting Chinese embassy officials in Jakarta.

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi had met Chinese Embassy representatives in Jakarta after the incident involving a Chinese coast guard vessel, a Chinese fishing vessel, and an Indonesian patrol ship in the northern Natuna Sea.

"At the meeting we conveyed our strong protest over... the breach by the Chinese coast guard of Indonesia's sovereign rights, " Mr Marsudi told reporters in a press conference.

Indonesian authorities attempted to detain a Chinese vessel they said was fishing illegally in its waters, an Indonesian official said earlier. Eight Chinese crew members were detained but the Chinese coastguard prevented Indonesia from securing the fishing vessel.

China said the fishing vessel was operating in “traditional Chinese fishing grounds” and has demanded the fishermen be released.

"When it comes to fishery disputes, or maritime issues, China is always ready to work with Indonesia to solve these disputes through negotiations and dialogue," Chinese embassy official Sun Weide told reporters in Jakarta after meeting the Indonesian fisheries minister.

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