US and China participate in maritime maneuvers in Indonesia

By Le Figaro with AFP

Published on 06/05/2023 at 12:48update on 05/06/2023 at 12:52

The United States and China, despite their differences, sent warships to take part in international maritime maneuvers which began on Monday (June 5th) in Indonesia. Washington and Beijing are multiplying the points of friction in the military, diplomatic, technological and economic fields.

The United States has increased its presence in Asia-Pacific to counter China, which recently held several rounds of military exercises around Taiwan. But these competing powers have both dispatched warships to the multilateral maritime maneuvers”Komodo(MNEK) organized by Indonesia in the east of its territory off the island of Celebes from Monday to Thursday.

“Tackling Common Challenges”

The US Navy has a light frigate on site, a spokesman for the US Embassy in Jakarta told AFP on Sunday. These exercises will allow the United States to “join with like-minded nations, our allies and partners, to address common challenges“, such as humanitarian missions and response to natural disasters, he said.

The Chinese Ministry of Defense announced last week to send a destroyer and a frigate at the invitation of the Indonesian navy. Russia must also send ships, according to a list issued by the Indonesian authorities, while Australia is involving a frigate and the head of its navy, Vice-Admiral Mark Hammond. A total of 17 foreign ships are to be deployed and around 20 for Indonesia.

“Maritime Cooperation”

«MNEK exercises are non-warfare training that prioritizes maritime cooperation in the regionsaid Indonesian Navy spokesperson I Made Wira Hady. Tensions between Washington and Beijing have escalated this year over the issue of Taiwan, an island with an independent Washington-backed government that China considers part of its territory.

Two incidents involving US and Chinese armed forces in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea have occurred in the past ten days. United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin judged on Saturday at a summit in Singapore “essential» to renew the dialogue with China to avoid «misunderstandingswhich could lead to a conflict between these two military powers.