Taiwan condemns planned China-Indonesia naval exercise East of Taiwan as 'Military Provocation'
Taipei Augus, t 12
Taiwan's top agency on China has strongly condemned Beijing's plan to hold a naval exercise with Indonesia in waters east of Taiwan, calling the planned drills a "military provocation" that infringes on Taiwan's sovereignty and threatens regional security, according to a report by Central News Agency.
In a statement issued Tuesday evening, Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) urged Beijing to immediately stop what it described as a dangerous act aimed at undermining the status quo.
The statement came after China's Ministry of National Defence announced earlier Tuesday that a Chinese Navy ship and an Indonesian Navy frigate would conduct a "navigation exercise" in waters east of Taiwan in mid-August.
As cited by CNA, the MAC said China has recently engaged in what it described as "gray-zone harassment," including the deployment of government vessels on what Beijing calls routine law-enforcement patrols, as well as research vessels into Taiwan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
The council said Beijing was now taking another step by seeking to conduct military exercises with "related countries" in waters east of Taiwan.
MAC described the development as "exercises in name, expansion in reality," alleging that Beijing was attempting to create a false impression internationally that China has jurisdiction over waters east of Taiwan.
The council accused China of "blatantly infringing" on Taiwan's sovereignty and maritime rights while undermining regional peace and stability.
Taiwan's government, according to the CNA report, said it would continue to closely monitor the situation and take necessary and appropriate measures to safeguard Taiwan's sovereignty as well as peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
The council did not specify what measures Taiwan could take.
China's Ministry of National Defence announced the planned exercise at 5:08 p.m. Tuesday.
According to the announcement cited by CNA, a Chinese Navy ship and an Indonesian Navy frigate will conduct a "navigation exercise" in waters east of Taiwan in mid-August.
The exercise will focus on training activities including communications drills and replenishment at sea.
China said the drills are intended to enhance the two navies' ability to conduct joint operations, deepen practical cooperation and "jointly safeguard regional peace and stability."
The Chinese announcement did not provide the exact location or duration of the exercise. It also did not specify how far the participating vessels would operate from Taiwan.
Taiwan, formally known as the Republic of China, and Indonesia do not maintain formal diplomatic relations. However, the two sides have representative offices in each other's capitals and maintain extensive economic and labour ties.
According to Taiwanese government statistics cited by CNA, bilateral trade between Taiwan and Indonesia totalled US$11.27 billion in 2025.
More than 335,000 Indonesian migrant workers were in Taiwan as of the end of June 2026, according to the same statistics.
— ANI
Reader Comments
From an Indian perspective, we've seen similar tensions with China along our own borders. While I respect Taiwan's concerns, the idea of holding joint exercises east of Taiwan is definitely a provocative move. It's not just about sovereignty; it's about signaling military presence in an area where tensions are already high. India should support dialogue and de-escalation here.
Honestly, this is just China doing what it always does—flexing its muscles. But calling it a "military provocation" is a bit dramatic. The exercise with Indonesia is probably more about building partnerships than directly threatening Taiwan. Still, the optics of doing it east of Taiwan are not great. Diplomacy is key, not just chest-thumping.
As someone who follows regional geopolitics closely, I think Taiwan has every right to be concerned. The "gray-zone harassment" tactics mentioned here—like sending research vessels into Taiwan's EEZ—are a pattern. India has faced similar things in the Indian Ocean. This isn't just about one exercise; it's about a broader strategy that should be monitored carefully.
The article says Indonesia and Taiwan have no formal diplomatic ties but have extensive economic and labor ties. That's a delicate balance for Indonesia. They're walking a tightrope between China and Taiwan. From India's view, we've seen how countries often get caught in the middle of such disputes. Hope this doesn't affect the region's stability.
I'm an Indian living abroad, and this reminds me of how China often uses such exercises to test reactions. The MAC's
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.