Jakarta, MINA – The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has clarified that the planned joint naval exercise between the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) and China off Taiwan’s eastern coast is part of routine maritime diplomacy and aligns with Indonesia’s free and active foreign policy.
Ministry spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang confirmed that the exercise involving KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai-332 is a limited “passing exercise” (PASSEX), a standard practice when a warship transits through a region. “Passing exercises are not combat drills,” she emphasized during a press conference in Jakarta.
The passing exercise is part of KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai-332’s return voyage to Indonesia after completing joint exercises with the Russian Navy in Vladivostok. The exercise includes communication drills, formation maneuvers, and replenishment at sea, which concluded successfully on August 12.
Indonesia has conducted similar exercises with Russia, the United States, and Japan, viewing them as professional interactions to build trust and cooperation rather than military balancing. “We don’t see this as balancing with anyone, but as how we open communication and build trust and cooperation,” Mewengkang stated.
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The plan drew protests from Taiwan, which considered it a violation of sovereignty. However, the Ministry reaffirmed Indonesia’s adherence to the One China Policy and reiterated that the activity is not a military operation or combat drill.[]
Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)
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