Indonesia-China joint training exercise off Taiwan causes ripples, Taiwan demands explanation

[Jakarta Current Affairs] A joint exercise conducted by the Indonesian Navy with the Chinese Navy off the eastern coast of Taiwan is causing ripples. Taiwan blames China and demands an explanation from Indonesia. Indonesian authorities were busy responding by explaining that the incident was ``not a combat training''.

Chinese military holds training exercises with Indonesia off the coast of Taiwan, possibly as a deterrent to Japan-Philippine border negotiations

According to the Chinese Ministry of Defense, frigates from both navies conducted communications and offshore replenishment exercises off the eastern coast of Taiwan on the 12th. Hong Kong newspaper Wen Hui Po reported that this was the first time that the Chinese military has conducted "tactical exercises" with another country in the same area.

On the same day, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement saying, ``China is once again ignoring international norms and responsibilities, further escalating regional tensions.'' The government also requested a detailed explanation from the Indonesian side.

The training appears to have taken place near the area of ​​the sea area that is the subject of border delimitation negotiations between Japan and the Philippines. After Japan and the Philippines agreed to start negotiations at the end of May, China has increased its coercion by launching patrols and oceanographic surveys in the area.

"We are fully aware that the location of the training makes this issue sensitive," a spokesperson for Indonesia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said at a press conference on the 13th. However, he stressed that it was not a combat training exercise, but rather a part of the navy's "diplomacy."

Indonesia has traditionally maintained a foreign policy of non-alignment and has held military exercises not only with Japan and the United States, but also with China and Russia. The ships that participated in the training off the coast of Taiwan first took part in exercises with the country's navy in Vladivostok, Russia's far east, and also visited Yokosuka Air Base in Kanagawa Prefecture, where they also trained with ships of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.