Taiwan condemned China's planned joint naval exercises with Indonesia in waters east of the island, calling it a military provocation and fearing China will use the exercises to project an image of territorial control to the international community. Taiwan has requested an explanation from Indonesia.
On August 12, 2569 at 09.43:XNUMX a.m., Reuters reported that The Taiwanese government has condemned the planned naval exercises between China and Indonesia off the island's east coast. They described the behavior as dangerous and a military provocation, accusing Beijing of trying to portray itself to the international community as having control over the waters in the area.
The latest move comes amid heightened tensions in the Taiwan Strait, with China considering democratic Taiwan part of its territory. In June, China began deploying its coast guard to patrol off Taiwan's east coast, angering Taipei and raising concerns in the United States and some Western nations.
China's Defense Ministry revealed on Tuesday (August 11) that the Chinese navy is preparing to conduct joint naval exercises with Indonesian naval vessels in mid-August in an area east of Taiwan, but did not disclose the exact location.
The joint exercise is considered an unusual move, as China does not typically conduct joint military exercises with foreign armies in the vicinity of Taiwan. The Indonesian navy and Ministry of Defense have yet to comment on the matter.
Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council issued a statement late Tuesday saying the exercises constituted a military provocation and called on China to immediately cease its dangerous behavior that undermines the status quo.
Taiwan says that after China has conducted several activities in the area recently, including what Beijing calls “routine law enforcement patrols” east of Taiwan, China is now attempting to conduct joint military exercises with relevant countries in the waters east of the island.
The Taiwanese government views this move as a political maneuver under the guise of training but actually expanding its authority, aiming to create the international community's perception that China has sovereignty over waters east of Taiwan.
Wu Tian-jen, Assistant Deputy Chief of Intelligence of Taiwan. Speaking to parliament in Taipei on Wednesday (August 12), the Indonesian warship that China had indicated would participate in the exercise was en route back from Japan and had not specifically come to the area to train with the Chinese navy.
The Indonesian warship is currently in the Pacific Ocean, about 70–80 nautical miles off the east coast of Taiwan.
Wu stated that, from a military standpoint, the move would not directly affect Taiwan, but it had significant geopolitical implications.
Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed that it has asked Indonesia for clarification regarding its participation in joint training exercises with China.
The move comes as Taiwan is conducting its annual military exercises. "Han Kuang" This simulates scenarios for responding to and countering a potential Chinese attack on the island.
Meanwhile, China's announcement came at the same time that Elbridge Colby, US Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, met with Indonesian Defense Minister Shafri Shamsuddin in Jakarta on Tuesday.
The Indonesian Defense Minister's office stated that Chafri informed Colby that the expanded defense cooperation between Indonesia and the United States was not aimed at establishing US military bases in Indonesia.
China does not recognize any sovereignty claims by the Taiwanese government, and the Chinese military continues to conduct operations around the island almost daily. While Indonesia, like most countries, does not have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, there are currently more than 300,000 Indonesian migrant workers living and working in Taiwan.
The Taiwanese government has consistently maintained that the future of Taiwan should be determined solely by the Taiwanese people, while condemning increasing military pressure from China.
refer : reuters.com
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