Archive · 16 Aug 2026
China accused of false claims over naval exercise waters
Some countries have special ocean areas called exclusive economic zones, or EEZs, where they can fish and take resources.
But these areas are not like their own private land, and other countries' ships can still sail and train there.
China said a naval exercise happened in its own special ocean area and called it a joint operation.
Other countries, like Indonesia and Taiwan, said that is not true.
They said the exercise happened in international waters, where any navy can practice.
Indonesia said it did not support China's claim, even though one of its ships was there.
That ship was just passing by on its way home from another exercise.
The report says China made up a legal reason to support its claim.
It also says China never controlled those waters.
So, the story is about countries disagreeing over who owns and controls certain parts of the ocean.
China described a routine naval passing exercise as a joint operation in waters under its jurisdiction.
The Indo-Pacific Defence Forum report says the exercise occurred in international waters where foreign navies may legally train.
Beijing claimed the exercise took place in 'China's sovereign EEZ', an assertion refuted by international law.
Taipei condemned the characterisation as political manipulation regarding waters east of Taiwan.
Indonesia denied supporting China's declaration, noting a freight ship participated while returning from Vladivostok.
- Who
- China, Indonesia, Taiwan, and the Indo-Pacific Defence Forum
- What
- China characterized a naval passing exercise as a joint operation in its sovereign EEZ, a claim others refute
- When
- Not specified in the articles
- Where
- International waters east of Taiwan, involving a freight ship returning from Vladivostok
- Why
- Beijing sought to support expansive territorial claims over waters it never controlled
China's Position
Critics' Position
Nature of the exercise
China's Position
The exercise was a joint operation in waters under China's jurisdiction.
Critics' Position
The exercise was a routine passing exercise in international waters where foreign navies may legally operate.
Legal status of the waters
China's Position
The waters are within China's sovereign EEZ.
Critics' Position
Under UNCLOS, an EEZ is not 'sovereign' territory and remains open to navigation and military exercises.
Indonesian support
China's Position
Jakarta supported Beijing's expansive territorial claim.
Critics' Position
Indonesia refuted any support, noting its freight ship was merely passing by on return from Vladivostok.
- Exercise type
- Routine naval passing exercise
- Location
- International waters east of Taiwan
- China's claim
- Exercise occurred in 'China's sovereign EEZ'
- Indonesia's response
- Refuted support for China's declaration; freight ship was returning from Vladivostok
- Taiwan's response
- Condemned as political manipulation
- Legal reference
- United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
- EEZ definition
- 200-nautical mile seaward extension with exclusive resource rights, open to navigation and military exercises