China and Indonesia Announce Naval Exercise in Waters East of Taiwan
China's defence ministry announced on Tuesday (August 11, 2026) that its navy will conduct a joint navigation exercise with an Indonesian navy ship in waters east of Taiwan during mid-August. The official statement gave no exact location for the drill.
The exercise will focus on communication drills and at-sea replenishment, according to the ministry. It said the aim was to enhance the joint operational capabilities of the two navies, deepen practical cooperation, and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability.
The waters east of Taiwan are regarded as sensitive because China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has intensified military activities in the area. In June, Beijing began coast guard patrols off the island's east coast, a move that drew strong objections from Taipei and concern from Washington and several other Western capitals.
China's military operates around Taiwan on an almost daily basis, a pattern that has become routine. The upcoming exercise, involving a Chinese navy warship and an Indonesian navy ship, is distinct from these regular patrols but adds another layer of visible military activity near the island.
Neither Taiwan's defence ministry nor Indonesia's navy responded immediately to requests for comment. Taiwan's government asserts that only the Taiwanese people can decide their future and has repeatedly denounced Chinese military pressure as a threat to regional stability.
Indonesia, like most countries, maintains no formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan. However, the island is home to more than 300,000 Indonesian migrant workers, and ties between Jakarta and Taipei continue through unofficial economic and cultural channels.
China recognises no sovereignty claims by Taiwan's government and has consistently rejected any notion of an independent Taiwan. The joint drill with Indonesia is seen as part of China's broader efforts to build naval cooperation with Southeast Asian nations while maintaining its position on Taiwan.
The exact scope of the exercise has not been disclosed. The term 'navigation exercise' typically refers to coordinated sailing formations, communication practice, and procedures for replenishing ships at sea. Such drills are considered routine among many navies, but the location east of Taiwan makes this particular exercise noteworthy.
Indonesia has pursued a defence policy of strategic autonomy, engaging in military cooperation with both China and Western countries. The country's navy has participated in joint exercises with several nations in recent years, reflecting its role as a major maritime power in Southeast Asia.
The announcement comes ahead of a mid-August window for the exercise. No specific dates or coordinates were provided. Regional observers will likely monitor the movement of vessels in the coming weeks, though the Chinese defence ministry has framed the drill as a matter of routine cooperation.
Since the start of this decade, China has increased its military activities around Taiwan, including air and sea patrols, while also building up forces in the South China Sea. The United States and its allies have responded with freedom of navigation operations and joint exercises of their own. The latest development involving China and Indonesia adds a new dimension to the complex security environment in the Indo-Pacific.
