US and China hold separate military drills in south-east Asia

[Viet]

War games come after Beijing wraps up exercises around Taiwan in show of strength An Indonesian army helicopter flies during the Super Garuda Shield military exercises ©

The US and China displayed their military strength in Indonesia and Thailand by holding war games over the weekend, as the rival superpowers worked to strengthen their influence in south-east Asia. China dispatched fighter jets to Thailand on Sunday in a joint air force exercise called Falcon Strike 2022 that Beijing’s defence ministry said would “enhance mutual trust and friendship”. The Thailand exercises coincided with the conclusion of two weeks of war games between the US and Indonesia, marking the largest version of the annual Garuda Shield live-fire drills since starting in 2009. Japan, Australia and Singapore also joined for the first time.


https://www.ft.com/content/601dad40-dc73-4a5c-a7f4-cc93fd475f73

 

[flowerfan2020]

So Indonesia choose to join the U.S camp?

 

[Zsari]

So Indonesia choose to join the U.S camp?

No point reading too much into these as ASEAN states are very much on the fence.

 

[MH.Yang]

So Indonesia choose to join the U.S camp?

No. ASEAN countries choose neutrality. They want economic prosperity and do not want chaos in Southeast Asia.

 

[flowerfan2020]

No. ASEAN countries choose neutrality. They want economic prosperity and do not want chaos in Southeast Asia.

But I don't recall Indonesia ever has military drills with China.

 

[MH.Yang]

But I don't recall Indonesia ever has military drills with China.

China and Indonesia often hold joint military exercises. However, I do not think that military exercises can explain the relations between the two countries. China and the USA have even held joint military exercises on many occasions.

The most important factors in the diplomatic relations between China and Indonesia are:
1. Indonesia's largest trading partner is China.
2. The trade between Indonesia and China is very healthy, with almost no surplus and deficit.
3. Indonesia is one of the core participating countries in China's B&R plan.
4. Indonesia and China have no dispute over islands in the South China Sea. There is only a small maritime economic zone in dispute between the two countries. But both countries are very restrained.
5. Indonesia's influence expansion in Southeast Asia and the South Pacific has been fully supported by the Chinese govt.

China, Indonesia Hold Joint Naval Exercises Near Jakarta

China and Indonesia have conducted joint naval exercises near Jakarta, Beijing said on Sunday, amidst tension over fishing rights in the South China Sea.

www.google.com