Indonesian Navy explains joint exercise with China east of Taiwan

The Indonesian Navy has stated that a passing exercise with the Chinese Navy in waters east of Taiwan is part of maritime diplomacy during the return voyage of KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai-332 to Indonesia.

Head of the Navy Information Service, First Admiral Tunggul, said in a statement in Jakarta on Wednesday that a passing exercise (Passex) is a common activity carried out by navies of various countries.

“Passing Exercise (Passex) is a goodwill engagement commonly conducted by the world’s navies as a form of naval brotherhood and maritime diplomacy inherent to warships,” he said.

Tunggul said KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai-332 carried out the Passex on its return journey to Indonesia after completing joint exercises with Russia in Vladivostok.

“During the sea crossing of KRI GNR-332 towards the homeland, it will conduct Passex with countries along the route,” he said.

“Indonesia has the opportunity to build mutually beneficial cooperation with any country, including Passex activities with a number of countries,” he said.

China’s Ministry of National Defence previously stated that the Chinese Navy ship Honghe and an Indonesian Navy frigate would hold a joint navigation exercise in waters east of Taiwan in mid-August.

According to the statement, the exercise includes communication and replenishment at sea and is aimed at improving joint operational capabilities and cooperation between the navies of the two countries.

The waters east of Taiwan face the Pacific Ocean and the Philippine Sea and lie outside the South China Sea area.