Indonesian frigate joins Chinese naval drill off Taiwan; Taipei seeks explanation
This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.
Indonesian Navy frigate KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai joins China's PLA Navy guided-missile frigate Honghe in a passing exercise off Taiwan's east coast on August 12. Taipei asks Jakarta for an explanation, and Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council condemns the drill as a provocation. The Indonesian vessel was returning from Vladivostok after a Russian navy exercise.
Key Facts
- Beijing announced the drill on August 11, one day before the Indonesian frigate joined it.
- Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council condemned the exercise as a provocation.
- Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs requested further details from the Indonesian government.
- The Indonesian vessel was returning from Vladivostok after an exercise with the Russian navy, according to the Taipei Times.
- The Indonesian Navy said its activities with the Chinese Navy were "not warfighting activities in nature" and "not intended as combat training."
The Passing Exercise
Indonesian Navy frigate KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai joined China's PLA Navy guided-missile frigate Honghe for what Jakarta described as a passing exercise off Taiwan's east coast on August 12. The maneuver took place during Taiwan's annual Han Kuang military drill. Beijing announced the drill on August 11, and Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council condemned it as a provocation. An Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson said the ministry was aware the exercise's location made it particularly sensitive but stressed the vessel's presence was simply part of its transit route back to Indonesia. According to the Taipei Times, the Indonesian vessel was returning from Vladivostok, Russia after an exercise with the Russian navy.
Taipei's Response
Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs requested further details from the Indonesian government after China announced the exercise. Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council condemned Beijing's action as a provocation. Taipei also asked Jakarta for a reason why the Indonesian frigate joined the drill. Amid reactions from Taipei and Washington, the Indonesian Navy stated that its activities with the Chinese Navy were not warfighting activities in nature and were not intended as combat training.
Analyst Reactions
The People's Liberation Army has ratcheted up pressure on Taiwan with frequent military exercises around the island, especially since former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taipei in 2022. Ying-Yu Lin, an associate professor at Taiwan's Tamkang University Graduate Institute of International Affairs and Strategic Studies, told DW that the Chinese exercise with Indonesia had little tactical significance. Lin said it was not as practical as a joint maritime drill but that China wanted to claim its capability in the waters. Ratih Kabinawa, a visiting research fellow at the Japan Institute of International Affairs focusing on Taiwan-Indonesia ties, said Indonesia should have expected some reaction from Taiwan regardless of the significance of the drills. Kabinawa added that Indonesia must exercise caution and not be too naive to assume that its participation in a regular exercise with China would not cause concern in Taiwan.
