The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has conducted its first-ever joint military exercise in the South China Sea, where China has been increasing its maritime activities and claims.
The exercise, hosted by Indonesia, which holds this year’s rotating chair of ASEAN, took place from Tuesday to Saturday on the Natuna Islands and other locations. Four ASEAN members, including Indonesia and Singapore, sent naval vessels to participate in the drill, which focused on maritime security and humanitarian assistance.
The last day of the exercise simulated a large-scale disaster on an island, where the participants cooperated on delivering relief supplies by military aircraft and conducting rescue operations.
The joint exercise came amid rising tensions with Beijing over the South China Sea, where China has published a new map claiming most of the disputed waters as its territory. Several ASEAN members, such as Vietnam and the Philippines, have protested against China’s assertiveness and militarization in the region.
Indonesia, which does not have any territorial disputes with China in the South China Sea, has also faced repeated incursions by Chinese ships into its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) around the Natuna Islands. Indonesia has responded by deploying more naval and air assets to patrol its waters and defend its sovereignty.
Indonesia’s military chief, Yudo Margono, said the joint exercise was aimed at enhancing regional stability and cooperation among ASEAN members. He did not mention China by name, but implied that the presence of naval vessels from various countries would have a strategic impact on the situation in the South China Sea.
Some media outlets reported that Indonesia initially planned to conduct the exercise in waters near its EEZ, but changed the location to avoid provoking China, which is ASEAN’s largest trading partner. The exercise was not a combat operation, but rather a demonstration of ASEAN’s unity and solidarity in maintaining peace and security in the region.
