For the first time! China and Indonesia conduct exercises in waters east of Taiwan Island

[Global Times - Global Network Report by reporter Guo Yuandan] On the afternoon of the 11th, "Ministry of National Defense Release" announced that Chinese and Indonesian naval vessels will conduct navigation exercises in the waters east of Taiwan Island. This marks the first time the Chinese Navy and foreign navies have conducted exercises in this area. Military experts interviewed by the Global Times stated that this exercise is of great significance, indicating that our country possesses sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the exclusive economic zone east of Taiwan Island.

According to reports, in mid-August, the Chinese Navy's Honghe ship will conduct navigation exercises with the Indonesian Navy's "Lai" class frigate in the waters east of Taiwan Island, focusing on communication drills, maritime resupply, and other subjects, aiming to enhance the joint operational capabilities of the two navies, deepen practical cooperation, and jointly maintain regional peace and stability.

China and Indonesia have previously held several joint exercises. For example, from late November to early December, China and Indonesia conducted the "Peaceful Eagle-2024" humanitarian rescue and disaster relief joint exercise, involving land, sea, and air forces.

According to the Global Times, the exercise conducted by the Chinese and Indonesian navies in the waters east of Taiwan Island is the first of its kind in this area, and "is of great significance," military expert Zhang Junsha analyzed on the 11th.

Zhang Junsha stated, "This move aims to clearly convey our position to the outside world: our country possesses sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the exclusive economic zone east of Taiwan Island. It is completely normal and reasonable for our country to invite foreign vessels to conduct training in waters under our jurisdiction. This action itself also confirms our sovereignty and jurisdiction over this area, which includes not only the territorial sea east of Taiwan Island but also the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf."

Previously, the Eastern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army conducted a joint exercise codenamed "Just Mission-2025" in the Taiwan Strait, north of Taiwan Island, southwest of Taiwan Island, southeast of Taiwan Island, and east of Taiwan Island. This exercise highlights the PLA's firm commitment to safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, protecting the fundamental interests and security well-being of 1.4 billion Chinese people, including compatriots in Taiwan, and opposing the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and external interference.

Since June of this year, the Chinese Coast Guard fleet has been conducting regular law enforcement patrols in the waters east of Taiwan Island, aiming to exercise jurisdiction in accordance with the law and safeguard national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights. This is a necessary action in response to Japan and the Philippines unilaterally announcing the initiation of boundary negotiations in the waters east of Taiwan Island, which seriously infringes upon China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights.

Zhang Junsha stated, "The joint exercise between the Chinese and Indonesian navies in this area further enriches our country's 'toolbox' for safeguarding national sovereignty and maritime rights, fully demonstrating that China has both the capability and the firm will to practice its maritime rights claims through regular maritime actions, showcasing its sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the relevant waters east of Taiwan Island."

This is the second cooperation between China and Indonesia in the maritime field this month and serves as another testament to the deepening and solidifying relationship between the two militaries. On the morning of August 2, local time, the naval formation consisting of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy's Qi Jiguang and Kunlunshan ships, which were on a long-distance comprehensive training and visiting mission, arrived at Tanjung Perak Port in Surabaya, Indonesia, to begin a four-day friendly visit.

"In recent years, the navies of China and Indonesia have continuously expanded cooperation in joint exercises, ship visits, and other areas, promoting the deepening and solidifying of military relations," said Colonel Jiang Bin, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, at a regular press conference on July 30.

Zhang Junsha commented that this series of maritime exchanges between China and Indonesia is not only a concrete practice of implementing the consensus on building a community with a shared future for the two countries but also further solidifies strategic mutual trust between the two militaries. It helps enhance both sides' ability to jointly respond to maritime risks and challenges, injects positive energy into maintaining order in surrounding waters, promotes regional maritime security and stability, and sets a beneficial example for regional countries to engage in equal and mutually beneficial maritime defense exchanges.