China, Indonesia hold joint naval exercises near Jakarta
Sun Online Desk
10th May, 2021 09:56:24
Amid tensions in the South China Sea, China and Indonesia conducted joint naval exercises near Jakarta, Beijing said on Sunday.
Citing the Defence Ministry, South China Morning Post reported that the drills, which took place on Saturday, were part of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy's annual training programme.
China's Liuzhou and Suqian guided-missile frigates joined Indonesia's KRI Usman Harun frigate and KRI Halasan missile craft in the exercises, which included communication drills, search and rescue operations and formation manoeuvres, the Ministry said.
While military officials from China and Indonesia have called for closer cooperation, the two countries have clashed over fishing rights near the Natuna Islands in the South China Sea.