China-Indonesia Navy to Hold Joint Exercise Near Taiwan

Illustration of the Chinese and Taiwanese flags. (Source: Stanford News.edu)

JAKARTA - The Chinese Ministry of Defense on Tuesday announced plans for joint naval exercises with the Indonesian navy near Taiwan, an announcement that was later criticized by Taipei.

The Chinese Ministry of Defense said in its announcement that the Chinese and Indonesian navies "will carry out maritime navigation exercises in the waters east of Taiwan Island in mid-August."

During the exercise, the frigates of the two navies will carry out a series of activities, including communication and supply operations at sea, Xinhua quoted as saying (12/8).

The exercise aims to improve the joint operational capabilities of the two navies, deepen practical cooperation, and maintain peace and stability in the region, the ministry said.

Meanwhile, the Taiwan government condemned the joint exercise plan which was considered "dangerous", stating that Beijing was trying to create a false impression in the eyes of the international community that they controlled the waters, quoted from Reuters.

On Tuesday night, Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council - the body that formulates policy on China - said the exercise was a "military provocation" and urged Beijing to "immediately stop this dangerous action that undermines the status quo."

Following a series of recent Chinese actions, including what it called "routine law enforcement patrols" east of Taiwan, China is now seeking to hold joint military exercises with "relevant countries" in waters east of Taiwan, the statement said.

"In reality, this is a political manipulation - 'exercise in name, but expansion in fact' - aimed at creating a false impression before the international community that the Chinese communist party has jurisdiction over waters east of Taiwan," the statement added.

When answering questions from lawmakers in Taipei on Wednesday, Wu Tien-jen - assistant deputy chief of the general intelligence staff - said the Indonesian warship that China said would participate was actually on its way home from Japan, not coming specifically to train with the Chinese navy.

The ship was about 70 to 80 nautical miles east of Taiwan, in the Pacific Ocean, he added.

"Militarily, this has no direct impact on Taiwan," he said.

"However, this has geopolitical significance."

Separately, Taiwan's Foreign Ministry said it had asked for "clarification" from Indonesia regarding its participation in the exercise.

Taiwan is holding its annual Han Kuang war exercises, which simulate an effort to repel an attack from China.

It is known that the Bamboo Curtain State does not recognize the sovereignty claims of the Taiwan Government, and its military operates around the island almost every day.

While Indonesia, like most countries, does not have official diplomatic relations with Taiwan. However, there are more than 300,000 Indonesian migrant workers living and working there.