Indonesia: Naval Engagement with China Part of Maritime Diplomacy

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has emphasized that the interaction between the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy is part of bilateral maritime and defense diplomacy, as well as an effort to maintain communication and strengthen friendly relations between the two countries. Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang said the activity was a passing exercise, a form of interaction commonly conducted by navies when vessels pass through an area.

“From Indonesia’s perspective, once again, we emphasize that the activity was a passing exercise, a form of interaction commonly conducted by various navies when vessels pass through an area. This activity was limited in nature and was not intended as a combat exercise,” Yvonne said at a press briefing in Jakarta on Thursday, August 13, 2026.

According to her, the activity represented a professional interaction between the Indonesian Navy and the navy of another country aimed at maintaining communication and strengthening friendly relations. She explained that the activity took place as part of the voyage of the KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai, which was returning to Indonesia, and was not part of an operation or combat exercise.

“What is important now is that we see this activity as a form of professional interaction between our navy and the navy of another country, in the context of the KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai returning to Indonesia, and it was not part of an operation or combat exercise,” she said.

She also acknowledged that the location of the activity was one factor that had drawn attention to the interaction. However, she stressed that the presence of the KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai was part of its route back to Indonesia.

“The presence of the KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai, once again, was part of its route back to Indonesia, and it conducted limited interactions with the navies of the countries it passed through,” she said.

Regarding Indonesia’s position, Yvonne emphasized that the government continues to adhere to the One China Policy. She said Indonesia also remains consistent in encouraging differences and disputes in the region to be resolved peacefully through dialogue.

“We want to reaffirm that Indonesia’s position remains consistent. We will continue to encourage differences and issues arising in the region to be resolved peacefully through dialogue while maintaining stability and peace in the region,” Yvonne said.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the interaction between the Indonesian Navy and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy is part of professional relations between the two navies in the context of maritime diplomacy, without changing Indonesia’s position of promoting peace, regional stability, and the peaceful resolution of disputes through dialogue.

Previously, China’s Ministry of National Defense, said the joint exercise with the Indonesian Navy concluded on Wednesday morning, August 12, 2026, local time. All exercise activities were conducted in waters east of Taiwan facing the Pacific Ocean and the Philippine Sea.

In its statement, China’s Ministry of National Defense said the Honghe and KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai-332 formed a ship formation and conducted several exercises, including maritime communications, formation maneuvers, replenishment at sea, and a formation separation ceremony.

Meanwhile, Head of the Indonesian Navy Information Service, First Admiral TNI Tunggul, said the passing exercise between Indonesia and China reflected the friendship between the two navies. The exercise took place while the KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai-332 was sailing back to Indonesia after completing a joint exercise with the Russian Navy in Vladivostok.