20-6-2023 (JAKARTA) The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has relocated its first-ever joint drills to the South Natuna Sea, according to an announcement by Indonesia’s military on Tuesday. The move comes as a way to avoid waters disputed by China, which had initially been the location for the drills.
The joint exercises had been planned for the North Natuna Sea, which Indonesia claims as part of its exclusive economic zone, but which is also contested by China. Beijing has claimed that the area falls within its so-called nine-dash line, which demarcates an area it says it has historic rights over but which is also contested by several of its neighbors.
China claims the majority of the South China Sea, despite protests from other Southeast Asian nations such as Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Malaysia.
The ASEAN’s decision to move the drills to the South Natuna Sea means that they will take place between September 18 and 25, and will avoid the contested waters.
While ASEAN members have held naval drills with both China and the United States in the past, this will be the first time that they have staged military exercises as a bloc. The decision was made during a planning conference between rotating ASEAN chair Indonesia and “several ASEAN counterparts,” according to the Indonesian military statement, which did not disclose which countries attended or abstained.
China’s leading regional ally, Cambodia, has refused to confirm its attendance at the drills since they were initially announced.
The Indonesian military statement on Tuesday confirmed that the drills will be attended by military leaders from all 10 ASEAN countries. Military chief Yudo Margono had previously told reporters that the drills would focus on maritime security and rescue operations, and would not involve any combat operations.
