Taiwan Slams ‘Dangerous’ China-Indonesia Naval Drill Near Island

Taiwan has condemned a planned China-Indonesia naval drill east of Taiwan, accusing Beijing of using the exercise to create the impression that it has authority over waters surrounding the democratically governed island.

China’s Defence Ministry said Tuesday that a Chinese naval vessel and an Indonesian Navy warship would conduct a “navigation exercise” in mid-August at an unspecified location east of Taiwan. Joint Chinese military exercises with foreign forces near Taiwan are considered highly unusual.

Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council described the planned operation as a “military provocation” and urged Beijing to immediately halt what it called dangerous actions that threaten the status quo.

Taipei said the exercise follows a series of recent Chinese activities east of Taiwan, including coast guard operations described by Beijing as routine law-enforcement patrols. Taiwanese authorities argue that China is attempting to portray these activities as evidence of jurisdiction over the area.

The council accused Beijing of conducting “exercises in name, expansion in fact,” saying the planned drill was designed to mislead the international community about China’s authority over waters east of Taiwan. Taiwan said it would closely monitor Chinese military activity and take necessary measures in response.

The announcement comes as Taiwan holds its annual Han Kuang military exercises, which test the island’s ability to defend itself against a potential Chinese attack.

Meanwhile, U.S. Under Secretary of War for Policy Elbridge Colby met Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin in Jakarta on Tuesday. Sjafrie said stronger defence cooperation between Indonesia and the United States was not intended to establish a U.S. military base in the country.

China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and regularly deploys military forces around the island. Taiwan rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims, maintaining that only its people can determine their future.

Indonesia, like most countries, does not maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan. However, economic and people-to-people ties remain significant, with more than 300,000 Indonesian migrant workers living in Taiwan.