Thousands of Indonesian and US troops began a joint military exercise on Monday to promote what Washington calls “regional cooperation” in a context of tensions with China.
The exercise will last two weeks and takes place on the Indonesian island of Sumatra and the Riau Islands, a province formed by scattered islets near Singapore and Malaysia.
The US and its Asian allies are increasingly concerned about China’s growing presence in the Pacific. However, the US government assured that the maneuvers aim to promote “trust, cohesion and mutual understanding” and that they are not directed against any country – although this year the exercises are more important than previous editions.
At least 4,000 US and Indonesian troops are on site and will be joined by forces from Australia, Singapore and Japan — a country that is taking part in these annual maneuvers for the first time.
“This is a military exercise and not a threat to either party,” General Stephen Smith, commander of the participating US troops, said Friday.
The maneuvers also come as Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the US House of Representatives, is making a trip to Asia with a possible stopover in Taiwan, at the risk of worsening already tense relations between Washington and Beijing.
The tour started this Monday. According to an official statement, a delegation of six MPs led by the Democrat will visit Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan. The official letter did not deny the possibility that other stopovers could be made.
Faced with speculation that the parliamentarian could visit the island – seen by Beijing as a rebellious province – the Chinese government made threats, saying the tour would amount to a violation of sovereignty.
The Americans have no official diplomatic ties to Taiwan, but have militarily supported the territory since 1979. China opposes any initiative that would give Taipei officials international legitimacy, which would be seen as a sign of support for the pro-independence camp.
If a stop in Taiwan is confirmed, Pelosi would be the highest-ranking Washington official to set foot on the island since Republican Newt Gingrich, who was also Speaker of the US House, in 1997.
Last week, the Taiwanese army carried out its biggest annual military exercises, which included simulations of intercepting Chinese attacks from the sea. At the same time, the American aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan and her flotilla departed Singapore for the South China Sea.
On Saturday (30), in response, China carried out a military exercise with live ammunition in the Taiwan Strait.
It is in this tense context that the joint maneuvers between Indonesia and the United States begin. The exercises will last until August 14 and will include activities for the Army, Navy and Air Force. Canada, France, India, Malaysia, South Korea, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Great Britain participate as observers.
