China announced that it will conduct military exercises with Indonesia in waters east of Taiwan. While China explained that the exercise is aimed at enhancing the joint operational capabilities of the navies of both countries and jointly safeguarding regional peace and stability, Taiwan strongly objected, calling it "fake training, real expansion." The Taiwanese authorities criticized China's actions as violating Taiwan's national sovereignty and maritime rights and destroying peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. This exercise follows a series of events triggered by China's backlash against Japan and the Philippines reaching an agreement in May on the demarcation of exclusive economic zone boundaries, including waters east of Taiwan. Previously, China had also dispatched coast guard vessels and research vessels to waters east of Taiwan, demonstrating its influence.
