ASEAN defense chiefs agree to hold joint exercises in the East Sea

At the 20th ASEAN Chiefs of Defense Ministers Meeting (ACDFM-20) held on Bali Island (Indonesia), ASEAN defense chiefs agreed that they will hold a joint military exercise in September near the Natuna Islands in the southern part of the East Sea, according to NHK.

Indonesian Armed Forces Commander Admiral Yudo Margono stressed the importance of the South China Sea.

“ASEAN must be united and united, so that we all agree on the security and stability of the region. If the region is stable, the sea lanes are safe, the flights are safe and of course, there will be prosperity,” Admiral Margono stressed.

The Philippine Coast Guard's BRP Melchora Aquino and the U.S. Coast Guard's Stratton participate in the first trilateral coast guard exercise between the Philippines, Japan and the United States in the South China Sea on June 6.

Earlier, the coast guards of the Philippines, the United States and Japan held a joint exercise in the South China Sea off the Bataan Peninsula, west of Manila, on June 6, according to Kyodo News. This is part of the first trilateral maritime exercise of the Philippines, the United States and Japan that began on June 1.

Meanwhile, Indonesia has been holding naval exercises near the island of Sulawesi since June 5, involving 36 countries, including the United States, China and Russia. Indonesia’s official foreign policy is to not take sides and maintain a balance between major powers.

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