China and Indonesia are set to conduct joint naval exercises in the waters east of Taiwan this month, in a move that comes amid heightened military activity around the island.
China’s Defence Ministry announced on Tuesday that a Chinese naval warship and an Indonesian navy vessel would conduct a joint “navigation exercise” in the area in mid-August.
The ministry did not disclose the exact location of the exercise.
It said the drills would focus on communication and at-sea replenishment, with the aim of improving the operational capabilities of both navies, strengthening practical military cooperation and promoting regional peace and stability.
The planned exercise comes against the backdrop of increased Chinese maritime activity around Taiwan.
Beijing regards Taiwan as part of its territory and has stepped up military and coast guard operations around the island. In June, China began coast guard patrols off Taiwan’s eastern coast, a move that drew criticism from Taipei and raised concerns in Washington and other Western capitals.
China does not recognise Taiwan’s sovereignty claims and its military operates around the island almost daily.
Taiwan, however, maintains that its future can only be determined by its people and has repeatedly condemned Beijing’s military pressure.
Indonesia has no formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, in line with most countries, but more than 300,000 Indonesian migrant workers live on the island.
Neither Taiwan’s Defence Ministry nor Indonesia’s navy had immediately commented on the planned drills.
The exercise will also come as Taiwan conducts its annual 10-day Han Kuang military exercises, which are aimed at strengthening the island’s preparedness against a potential Chinese attack.
