China and Indonesia will hold joint naval exercises in waters east of Taiwan in mid-August, the Chinese defense ministry announced, marking what analysts described as the first such drills between China and a foreign power in that area.
The Chinese frigate Honghe and the Indonesian frigate KRI Le will conduct communications and underway replenishment exercises, though Beijing did not disclose the exact location or duration. Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council condemned the drills as a "military provocation" that severely infringes on sovereignty and threatens regional security, accusing Beijing of projecting a false image of jurisdiction over waters east of Taiwan. Taiwan's foreign ministry said it sought clarification from Indonesia.
The announcement follows a visit to Surabaya by a Chinese naval task group earlier this month and coincides with a meeting in Jakarta between a senior U.S. defense official and Indonesia's defense minister.