A joint military exercise between the US and Indonesian troops has begun in Indonesia, which is in conflict with China over the exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea.
Indonesia has set up an exclusive economic zone around the Natuna Islands in the southern waters of the South China Sea, and confrontation continues with China, which claims interests in almost the entire South China Sea.
Under these circumstances, a two-week joint military exercise involving the Indonesian and US Armies began on three major islands, including Kalimantan Island, and the opening ceremony was held on the 4th.
The two countries have been conducting joint military exercises every year since 14 years ago, and a total of more than 3,700 people from both sides participated, and the Indonesian army emphasized "the largest scale ever" and strengthened relations with the United States. I am.
The U.S. Biden administration has strengthened its involvement in Southeast Asia in order to curb China's actions in the South China Sea and other areas, and has provided more than 300 million yen in Japanese yen to build a training center for Indonesian maritime security authorities. , A joint military exercise of the Navy is also planned in the fall.
On the other hand, Indonesia has shown some consideration to China, such as conducting joint military exercises with the Chinese Navy from May to June, suggesting that it wants to maintain a balance between the United States and China.
US Secretary of State and Indonesian Foreign Minister meet
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Indonesian Foreign Minister Antony Blinken met in Washington, DC, on the 3rd.
According to a statement by the U.S. Department of State, the two sides agreed to emphasize the growing importance of strategic relations between the two countries and to work on maintaining freedom of navigation and strengthening economic relations in the South China Sea. And.