Now Reading: China, Indonesia to hold naval drills east of Taiwan
-
01
China, Indonesia to hold naval drills east of Taiwan
China and Indonesia will hold a joint naval exercise in waters east of Taiwan this month, China's defence ministry said on Tuesday. The drill, involving a Chinese warship and an Indonesian navy…
The Story in Brief
China and Indonesia will hold a joint naval exercise in waters east of Taiwan this month, China's defence ministry said on Tuesday. The drill, involving a Chinese warship and an Indonesian navy ship, will focus on communication and at-sea replenishment. Beijing says it aims to enhance joint operational capabilities and deepen cooperation. The Hindu reports the exercise comes as China steps up coast guard patrols off Taiwan's east coast, drawing anger from Taipei and concern from Washington.
The Indian Opinion
This drill risks being read as China pulling another neighbour into its orbit near Taiwan, but Jakarta has its own reasons: balancing ties with Beijing without alienating Washington. Neither side has confirmed the exact location east of Taiwan, so the waters' sensitivity remains ambiguous. The real test is whether Indonesia will let this become a regular occurrence or keep it a one-off. How many more navies will Beijing rope in before Taipei calls it a pattern?
Source: thehindu.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
