China, Indonesia navies to hold joint drill east of Taiwan
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- China's Defence Ministry announced August 11, 2026 that a Chinese navy warship will conduct a joint "navigation exercise" with an Indonesian navy ship in mid-August in waters east of Taiwan, focused on communication drills and at-sea replenishment to "enhance joint operational capabilities."
- The exercise area is politically sensitive: Beijing views Taiwan as its own territory and began coast guard patrols off Taiwan's east coast in June 2026, a move that angered Taipei and drew concern in Washington and other Western capitals.
- China's military operates around Taiwan on an almost daily basis and recognizes no sovereignty claims by Taiwan's government, framing the joint drill as serving "regional peace and stability."
- Indonesia maintains no formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, though the island hosts more than 300,000 Indonesian migrant workers, and Indonesia's navy did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
- Taiwan's government maintains that only the Taiwanese people can decide their future and has repeatedly denounced Chinese military pressure, with Taiwan's defence ministry also not responding before publication.
Why it matters: The drill takes place in waters where Beijing began coast guard patrols in June 2026, deepening its sovereignty assertion over Taiwan and drawing concern in Washington. Indonesia's participation despite having no diplomatic ties to Taipei — and despite the island hosting 300,000+ Indonesian workers — shows Beijing pulling a Southeast Asian navy into the operational theater around Taiwan, expanding the cast of regional militaries engaged in those waters.
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