China and Indonesia are set to hold joint naval drills in the sensitive waters to the east of Taiwan this month, according to China’s defence ministry. The exercise will focus on communication drills and at-sea replenishment, aiming to enhance the joint operational capabilities of the two navies.
Regional Tensions
China views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory and has been seeking to assert its sovereignty claims. The drills come after China began coast guard patrols off Taiwan’s east coast in June, causing anger in Taipei and concern in Washington and other Western capitals.
Neither Taiwan’s defence ministry nor Indonesia’s navy immediately responded to requests for comment. China recognises no sovereignty claims by Taiwan’s government, and its military operates around the island on an almost daily basis.
Like most countries, Indonesia has no formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, but the island is home to more than 300,000 Indonesian migrant workers. Taiwan’s government says only the Taiwanese people can decide their future and has repeatedly denounced Chinese military pressure.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
