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Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - China and Indonesia will hold a joint naval navigation exercise in waters east of Taiwan in mid-August. Beijing described the activity as the first such exercise between the Chinese navy and a foreign navy in the region.

The Chinese Ministry of National Defence announced on Tuesday that the Chinese naval vessel Honghe will conduct a joint navigation exercise with an Indonesian navy ship in waters east of Taiwan. The exercise will include various elements, such as communication drills and underway replenishment.

“This exercise aims to enhance the joint operational capabilities of the two navies, deepen practical bilateral cooperation, and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability,” the Chinese Ministry of National Defence stated, as quoted by Global Times on Wednesday.

China and Indonesia have previously held several joint military exercises. In late November to early December last year, the two countries conducted a joint humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercise involving army, navy, and air force elements from both nations. However, the upcoming exercise east of Taiwan holds particular significance for Beijing.

Chinese military affairs expert Zhang Junshe said the exercise would be the first joint naval drill between China and a foreign country in the waters east of Taiwan. According to Zhang, the move is “highly significant” as it conveys a political and strategic message to the outside world. “China has sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the exclusive economic zone east of Taiwan Island,” Zhang told Global Times. He assessed that inviting a foreign warship to train in waters China considers under its jurisdiction is a normal and reasonable act. “Inviting a foreign warship to conduct training in waters under China’s own jurisdiction is normal and reasonable. This action also demonstrates China’s sovereign rights and jurisdiction over these waters,” he said.

Zhang added that the scope of China’s relevant maritime sovereignty and rights includes the territorial waters east of Taiwan Island, as well as the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. The exercise follows the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) Eastern Theatre Command conducting a joint exercise named ‘Justice Mission 2025’ in the Taiwan Strait and waters to the north, southwest, southeast, and east of the island. According to China, that exercise demonstrated the PLA’s mission to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Beijing stated the exercise aimed to protect the fundamental interests, security, and well-being of 1.4 billion Chinese people, including compatriots in Taiwan, and to oppose Taiwan independence separatist forces and foreign interference.

Since June this year, China Coast Guard vessels have also been routinely patrolling waters east of Taiwan. According to Beijing, these patrols are conducted to exercise jurisdiction in accordance with the law and to safeguard China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights. China described the move as necessary in response to the unilateral decision by Japan and the Philippines to announce the start of maritime boundary negotiations in waters east of Taiwan. Beijing assessed that the actions of Tokyo and Manila had “seriously violated China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights.”

Zhang assessed that the joint exercise with Indonesia will expand the tools China has to protect its maritime interests. He said the exercise demonstrates China’s capability and strong determination to defend its maritime rights through routine practical maritime actions. “This exercise fully demonstrates that China has the capability and strong determination to defend its maritime rights through routine practical maritime actions, and demonstrates its sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the relevant waters east of Taiwan Island,” he said.

This navigation exercise will be the second maritime cooperation between China and Indonesia this month. Previously, a PLA Navy task force consisting of the training ship Qijiguang (Hull 83) and the amphibious landing dock Kunlunshan (Hull 998) arrived at Tanjung Perak Port, Surabaya, on 2 August for a four-day goodwill visit. The two ships are on an ocean-going training mission and international visit. Chinese Ministry of National Defence spokesperson Jiang Bin also previously highlighted the development of naval relations between the two countries. “In recent years, the Chinese and Indonesian navies have continuously expanded cooperation, including joint exercises and reciprocal ship visits, thereby advancing the military relations between the two countries in both scope and depth,” Jiang Bin said at a regular press conference of the Chinese Ministry of National Defence on 30 July.

Meanwhile, Taiwan condemned the planned exercise. Taipei assessed Beijing’s move as a dangerous action aimed at creating the impression among the international community that China has control over the waters in the region. On Tuesday evening, Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), the body handling Taiwan’s policy towards China, called the exercise a form of “military provocation”. In a statement, the MAC urged China to cease the activity. “China should immediately stop this dangerous behaviour that undermines the status quo,” the MAC said.