Taiwan has condemned a planned Chinese naval exercise involving an Indonesian warship off the island’s east coast, describing the move as a “dangerous” provocation and accusing Beijing of trying to create the impression that it controls the surrounding waters.
China regards democratically governed Taiwan as part of its territory and has increased its activities around the island in recent months, including coast guard patrols off its eastern coast.
China’s Defence Ministry said on Tuesday that the exercise, scheduled for mid-August at an unspecified location east of Taiwan, would involve a “navigation exercise” with an Indonesian navy vessel.
The planned drill is considered unusual because China rarely conducts military exercises involving foreign forces in waters near Taiwan.
Indonesia’s navy and Defence Ministry had not responded to requests for comment at the time of reporting.
Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council described the planned exercise as a “military provocation” and urged Beijing to immediately stop what it called dangerous actions that could undermine the existing status quo.
The council said the drill followed a series of Chinese activities east of Taiwan, including what Beijing described as routine law-enforcement patrols.
Taiwan accused China of using military exercises as a way to politically manipulate the situation and create a false impression in the international community that Beijing has jurisdiction over waters east of the island.
Taipei said it would continue monitoring developments in the surrounding waters and take necessary and appropriate measures to protect its interests.
The planned exercise comes as Taiwan conducts its annual Han Kuang war games, which are designed to prepare its armed forces for a potential Chinese attack.
China’s announcement also coincided with a meeting in Jakarta between US Under Secretary of War for Policy Elbridge Colby and Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin.
According to Sjafrie’s office, Indonesia’s expanding defence cooperation with the United States was not intended to establish a US military base in the country.
China rejects Taiwan’s sovereignty claims and its military operates around the island on an almost daily basis.
Indonesia, like most countries, does not maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, although more than 300,000 Indonesian migrant workers live on the island.
Taiwan maintains that only its people have the right to determine the island’s future and has repeatedly criticised China’s growing military pressure.
