China, Indonesia navies to hold drills in sensitive waters to east of Taiwan

BEIJING — The Chinese and Indonesian navies will hold a drill together in the sensitive waters to the east of Taiwan this month, China's defence ministry said on Tuesday (Aug 11), where Beijing has been seeking to assert its sovereignty claims.

China views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, and in June began coast guard patrols off the island's east coast, causing anger in Taipei and concern in Washington and some other Western capitals.

In a brief statement, China's defence ministry said that in mid-August, a Chinese navy warship will conduct a joint "navigation exercise" with an Indonesian navy ship in the waters east of Taiwan, though it did not give an exact location.

"The exercise will focus on communication drills and at-sea replenishment, aiming to enhance the joint operational capabilities of the two navies, deepen practical co-operation, and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability," it added.

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.

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