BATAM, Indonesia: Units from the countries of ASEAN began their first-ever joint military drills in Indonesia's South Natuna Sea amid rising geopolitical tensions between major powers and protests against China's activities in the South China Sea.
The five-day non-combat operation is aimed at developing military skills, including maritime security and patrols as well as the distribution of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, the Indonesian military said in a statement.
All 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will join the exercise, including prospective member Timor-Leste.
"This is not a combat operation because ASEAN is more focused on economics. The training is more about social activities," Yudo Margono, Indonesia's military chief, told reporters after the opening ceremony on the Indonesian island of Batam on Tuesday (Sep 19).
The drills, which were relocated because of the sensitivities of the initial location, are being held amid diplomatic protests over China's release last month of its "10-dash line" map, which expands its claims to cover about 90 per cent of the South China Sea. More than US$3 trillion in trade passes through the strategic maritime area each year.