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China, Indonesia to conduct naval navigation exercise in waters east of Taiwan Island
View original source ↗Summary
The Chinese and Indonesian navies will conduct a joint navigation exercise in mid-August in waters east of Taiwan Island, involving frigates from both sides in communications drills and maritime replenishment operations. The choice of location — east of Taiwan, in the Philippine Sea approaches — is the analytically significant detail the Ministry of National Defense's announcement foregrounds, though the article does not specify the exact operating area, participating units, or vessel names. Whether Indonesia's participation in this location reflects a deliberate Chinese effort to normalize third-party naval presence in Taiwan's eastern approaches, or is incidental to a routine bilateral exercise, cannot be determined from this announcement alone.
Conducting a joint naval exercise with Indonesia in waters east of Taiwan is an unusual location choice that signals deliberate use of the Taiwan Strait periphery for a multilateral military activity, likely intended to normalize PLA operational presence in that area with a partner nation's implicit endorsement.
Translation
BEIJING, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese and Indonesian navies will conduct a naval navigation exercise in waters east of China's Taiwan Island in mid-August, China's Ministry of National Defense announced on Tuesday. During the exercise, frigates of the two navies will carry out a series of drills, including communications exercises and maritime replenishment operations. The exercise aims to enhance the two navies' joint operational capabilities, deepen practical cooperation and maintain peace and stability in the region, according to the Chinese defense ministry.
Original text
BEIJING, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese and Indonesian navies will conduct a naval navigation exercise in waters east of China's Taiwan Island in mid-August, China's Ministry of National Defense announced on Tuesday. During the exercise, frigates of the two navies will carry out a series of drills, including communications exercises and maritime replenishment operations. The exercise aims to enhance the two navies' joint operational capabilities, deepen practical cooperation and maintain peace and stability in the region, according to the Chinese defense ministry.