Taiwan Condemns Joint China Indonesia Naval Exercise East of Taiwan

China and Indonesia conducted a joint naval exercise in waters east of Taiwan in mid August. The operation involved a Chinese Navy ship and an Indonesian frigate, the KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai 332, and focused on maritime communications, formation maneuvers, and at sea replenishment. The Chinese defense ministry stated the exercise aimed to enhance joint operational capabilities and safeguard regional peace and stability.

Taiwan strongly condemned the move. The Mainland Affairs Council and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the exercise as a military provocation and an attempt by Beijing to create a false impression that it has jurisdiction over the waters east of Taiwan. Taipei stated that the action infringes upon its national sovereignty and increases regional tensions. Taiwan has sought clarification from Indonesia regarding the event.

Indonesia described the activity as a Passing Exercise, or Passex, which it characterized as a universal naval tradition and a goodwill engagement rather than a war fighting exercise. An Indonesian Navy spokesperson, First Admiral Tunggul, stated that the frigate was conducting such exercises with various countries while returning home from Vladivostok, Russia. He noted that this approach is consistent with Indonesia's non aligned and free and active foreign policy.

Reporting on the event varied by political lean. Center outlets focused on Taiwan's condemnation and the diplomatic tension between Taipei and Beijing. A center left outlet highlighted Indonesia's non aligned foreign policy and the distinction between passing exercises and war fighting. A center right outlet framed the event as a signal of deepening military ties between Beijing and Southeast Asia's largest economy amid tightening cooperation between Washington and its allies.