[International] After claiming warships near Taiwan's east coast were routine encounters, Indonesian Defense Minister calls to expand military cooperation with China today
RtiTalk 小編19h ago
The recent appearance of Indonesian and Chinese warships in the waters east of Taiwan has drawn international attention. At the time, Indonesia claimed it was merely a routine "passing exercise" (PASSEX). However, Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin clearly stated on the 21st in Jakarta during bilateral talks with China that Indonesia hopes to further expand and deepen military cooperation with China, including increasing joint military training, strengthening military education, and elevating the level of military personnel exchanges. This highlights Indonesia's continued participation in US-China military exercises, attempting to maintain an "non-aligned" foreign policy and strategic balance.
According to Nikkei Asia, Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin stated on the 21st in Jakarta during bilateral talks with Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun that Indonesia wishes to further expand and deepen joint military exercises with China. He also proposed that the two countries "increase joint training, strengthen military education, and expand personnel exchanges," which should include not only officers but also non-commissioned officers and soldiers.
The report indicates that Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun's visit to Indonesia was to attend the second "Foreign and Defense Ministers' 2+2 Dialogue" between China and Indonesia, with the first dialogue held in Beijing last year.
Deepening cooperation with China while continuing military exercises with the US
The ministers of both countries first held talks with their respective counterparts in foreign affairs and defense on the morning of the 21st, followed by a joint meeting in the afternoon. China has recently conducted numerous military activities around Taiwan, and this meeting coincidentally occurred a week after the Chinese and Indonesian navies conducted a "navigation exercise" in the waters east of Taiwan.
Analysis suggests that Indonesia's deepening defense cooperation with Beijing, while simultaneously continuing large-scale military exercises with Washington, shows that Jakarta is still attempting to maintain its traditional "non-aligned" foreign policy and seek strategic balance between the two major powers amidst escalating US-China strategic competition.
Recently, Chinese state media claimed that the Chinese Navy's vessel Honghe and the Indonesian Navy's frigate KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai conducted exercises in the waters east of Taiwan in mid-August, stating that the two warships sailed in formation and conducted communication, formation maneuvering, and maritime replenishment exercises.
However, the Indonesian Navy later clarified that the actions were merely a "passing exercise" conducted when the two warships met at sea. The Indonesian Navy stated in a release last week, "Passing exercises are not combat exercises but a recognized naval tradition internationally, usually conducted when warships pass by vessels of another country."
Does not deny long-term military cooperation between China and Indonesia
Sjafrie also cited the "Heping Garuda" joint humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercise held by the two countries at the end of 2024 as an example, emphasizing that concrete military cooperation already exists between China and Indonesia.
Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun welcomed Sjafrie's proposal to expand military cooperation. Dong stated that China and Indonesia share common interests in maintaining security and promoting development, "We bear the same responsibilities, and now is the time to strengthen defense cooperation."
Dong added that the military relationship between the two countries has broad prospects for development, and both sides should continue to advance cooperation. He also stated that China and Indonesia will "jointly thwart the malicious intentions of foreign forces," set an example for countries in the Global South, and establish a new model of defense cooperation, without specifying which "foreign forces" he was referring to.
The report states that while strengthening military cooperation with China, Indonesia has not abandoned its defense relationship with the United States.
Claims to continue maintaining a "free and active" foreign policy
Indonesia and the United States are scheduled to hold their annual "Super Garuda Shield" military exercise in various regions of Indonesia next week. The exercise, involving 15 countries and lasting 12 days, will include combat training, air assault, and amphibious deployment.
This further highlights Indonesia's policy of maintaining military cooperation with both China and the United States. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has repeatedly emphasized that Indonesia will maintain a "free and active" foreign policy, will not join any major power bloc, but will maintain friendly relations with various countries, including China and the United States.
This series of developments shows that while deepening military cooperation with China, Indonesia continues to maintain its defense relationship with the United States, underscoring Jakarta's attempt to continue its traditional "non-aligned" foreign policy and seek strategic balance between the two major powers amidst escalating US-China strategic competition.
Source Link: https://www.rti.org.tw/news?uid=3&pid=227592
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