Taiwan Condemns Planned China–Indonesia Naval Drill off Its East Coast as ‘Dangerous’

Taipei says Beijing is using an unusual exercise with an Indonesian warship to imply control over waters east of Taiwan; Indonesia has been asked to clarify its role.

Taiwan has condemned a planned Chinese naval exercise with an Indonesian warship off its east coast, calling the move a dangerous military provocation with wider geopolitical implications.

China’s Defence Ministry said the “navigation exercise” would take place in mid-August at an unspecified location east of Taiwan. Military drills involving China and a foreign navy close to Taiwan are unusual, making Indonesia’s reported participation a focus of regional attention.

Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council accused Beijing of using the exercise to create a false impression that China has jurisdiction over waters east of the island. It called on Beijing to stop actions that could undermine the existing cross-strait status quo.

China considers democratically governed Taiwan part of its territory and has not renounced the use of force to bring it under its control. Taiwan rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claim and says its future can be decided only by the island’s people.

Indonesia’s role under scrutiny

Taiwan’s military intelligence said the Indonesian warship identified by China was returning from Japan and had not travelled to the area specifically to join the Chinese navy. An official told lawmakers that the vessel was about 70 to 80 nautical miles east of Taiwan.

The official said the activity did not pose a direct military threat but carried geopolitical significance. Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry has asked Indonesia to explain whether and how its navy will participate.

Indonesia has no formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, in line with its recognition of Beijing. However, the island is home to more than 300,000 Indonesian migrant workers, giving Jakarta significant social and economic links with Taipei.

The Indonesian Navy and Defence Ministry had not publicly provided a detailed response when Reuters filed its report. That makes it important to retain attribution in any account of the proposed exercise.

Exercise comes during Taiwan war games

The announcement coincides with Taiwan’s annual Han Kuang military exercises, which simulate responses to a possible Chinese attack. This year’s drills have included protecting infrastructure, rapidly repairing airfields, maintaining government operations and defending strategic coastal locations.

China’s military operates around Taiwan almost daily, while its coast guard began patrols east of the island in June. Taipei and Washington have expressed concern that repeated operations could gradually normalise a Chinese security presence in waters surrounding Taiwan.

The location east of Taiwan matters because it opens towards the Pacific. In a conflict, those waters could be important for supply lines, naval movements and assistance from outside powers. Chinese activity there is therefore watched closely by Taiwan, Japan and the United States.

The proposed drill also comes as Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin met US Under Secretary of War for Policy Elbridge Colby in Jakarta. Indonesia said expanding defence cooperation with Washington did not mean it would host an American military base.

For India, developments around Taiwan matter because the Taiwan Strait is central to Asian trade and semiconductor supply chains. Taiwan produces advanced chips used in smartphones, vehicles, defence systems and artificial-intelligence hardware. A military crisis could disrupt manufacturing and shipping across the Indo-Pacific.

No confrontation has been reported in connection with the proposed exercise. The immediate questions are whether Indonesia formally confirms participation, where the drill is conducted and whether China deploys additional naval or coast-guard vessels.