Last Wednesday, August 12, the navies of China and Indonesia successfully completed a naval navigation exercise in waters east of China’s Taiwan Island.
According to Xinhua, who cited Chinese military authorities, the exercise involved the Chinese naval vessel Honghe and Indonesian Navy frigate KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai.
The report states that “the two warships formed a naval formation and conducted practical drills covering maritime communications, formation maneuvers, and underway replenishment.”
The two sides followed a pre-arranged exercise plan and “maneuvered flexibly, coordinated closely, and successfully fulfilled all scheduled objectives.”
The statement adds that “the exercise demonstrated the two navies’ willingness and capability to conduct practical cooperation and jointly contribute to regional peace and stability.”
The Taiwan authorities, who have ramped up “Taiwan independence” rhetoric in recent months, are said to have been “angered” by this display of diplomacy between China and Indonesia.
Video courtesy of Shanghai Eye, who included clips from CCTV.
