Indonesia neutrality tested by joint naval drill with China
Indonesia maintains a non-aligned foreign policy, but Jakarta's limited participation in a low-level naval exercise with China's navy near Taiwan has raised concerns.
On August 12, an Indonesian naval vessel briefly joined a joint exercise with China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) in waters near Taiwan. Taipei questioned Indonesia's involvement, asking for clarification on the reason behind the drill. The Indonesian Navy claimed the exercise was merely a "passing exercise," stating it was part of its transit route back to Indonesia. The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the vessel's presence was not intended for combat training or warfighting.
Taipei condemned China's "provocation," demanding further details from Indonesia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. China considers Taiwan as part of its territory and has threatened to reunite the island through force if necessary. Beijing has been increasing military exercises around Taiwan, particularly since former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taipei in 2022.
Experts noted that the exercise had little tactical significance and was more about China showcasing its capabilities in the region. However, Ratih Kabinawa, a researcher focusing on Taiwan-Indonesia ties, stated that Indonesia should have anticipated some reaction from Taiwan. She warned that the exercise could be used by China to justify its intimidation tactics.
Indonesia has maintained a neutral foreign policy for decades, distinguishing itself from countries aligned with either China or the US. Despite this, both Beijing and Washington are interested in having Indonesia participate in their respective Asia-Pacific strategies. President Prabowo Subianto met with a US undersecretary of defense in Jakarta on the same day as the controversial exercise with China.
While Prabowo also visited Chinese President Xi Jinping, Jakarta has allowed US military aircraft to access Indonesian airspace through blanket overflights.
Indonesia's current administration lacks clear guidelines for interpreting its foreign policy amid growing geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Taiwan Strait. While Indonesia is unlikely to be involved in a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, Kabinawa noted that the country would likely face challenges in evacuating its citizens if such a scenario were to occur.
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