Releases a strong signal regarding Taiwan.
According to foreign media reports, Indonesia's naval spokesperson, Tonggul, said today (August 12) that during its return journey, an Indonesian warship will conduct exercises with countries along its route. He emphasized that these exercises are not for "war fighting," but rather "transit drills," consistent with Indonesia's non-aligned foreign policy.
China announced the exercise yesterday and highlighted two objectives: first, to enhance joint operational capabilities between the navies of both countries and deepen practical cooperation; second, to jointly safeguard regional peace and stability. Indonesia’s characterization of the drills as "transit exercises" may sound low-key, but in fact echoes China’s public statements. Foreign media particularly noted that this marks the first time mainland China has conducted such joint drills with another country in the waters east of Taiwan—sending a clear signal on cross-strait affairs.
Historically, the waters east of Taiwan have been regarded by the DPP authorities as a "rear security zone," and even a pre-designated "force assembly area" for U.S.-Japan collusion to interfere in cross-strait relations. They firmly believed this region to be a weak point beyond the reach of regular People's Liberation Army forces, hoping to exploit this gap to establish a so-called "aid-Taiwan channel." Now, by directly conducting joint drills here with Indonesia, the PLA and Indonesian navies effectively extend their coordinated combat defense line—from the western side of Taiwan Island in the Taiwan Strait all the way to the deep Pacific Ocean east of Taiwan Island.
This drill directly shatters the DPP authorities’ fantasy of using the eastern waters as an escape route, and draws a clear red line for all external forces: the waters east of Taiwan have never been any so-called "international public domain," nor a lawless territory where outside powers can arbitrarily interfere in China’s internal affairs.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1873323382658057/
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