AssetID: 55910105
Headline: UNCAPTIONED: China and Indonesia Plan Joint Naval Exercises Near Taiwan
Caption: China and Indonesia Plan Joint Naval Exercises Near Taiwan. China and Indonesia will conduct joint naval exercises in the sensitive waters east of Taiwan later this month, in a move that highlights Beijing’s growing military activity around the island. China’s Defence Ministry announced the drills without giving details on their exact date or the number of ships and personnel involved. The exercises will take place in waters where Beijing wants to assert its sovereignty claims over Taiwan and expand its military presence beyond the island’s immediate surroundings. China regards Taiwan as part of its territory, despite the island’s self-government, and has stepped up military and coast guard operations around it in recent months. Beijing began regular coast guard patrols off Taiwan’s eastern coast in June, prompting concern in Taipei and Washington. The joint exercises with Indonesia also come as China seeks to strengthen military and diplomatic ties with countries across Southeast Asia. Indonesia has traditionally maintained a non-aligned foreign policy and does not take sides in the Taiwan dispute, making the location of the drills particularly notable. The exercises could therefore be seen as both a demonstration of China’s expanding naval reach and an effort to deepen defence cooperation with Indonesia. Instructions: THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT
Keywords: Current Affairs & Politics,China,Indonesia,eastern,coast,Taiwan,sensitive,area,territorial waters,dispute,sovereignty,Philippines,naval,drills,defence,military,power,demonstration
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