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Hawaii (US), August 16, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)

China misrepresented a routine naval passing exercise in international waters to support what a report described as arbitrary maritime claims, while incorrectly portraying the activity as a joint operation conducted in waters under its jurisdiction.

The Indo-Pacific Defense Forum said the exercise took place in international waters where foreign navies have legal rights to navigate, train and operate.

According to the report, Beijing subsequently claimed that the exercise had taken place in “China's sovereign EEZ” (exclusive economic zone), an assertion the report said was inconsistent with international maritime law. It also accused China of creating the impression that Indonesia supported Beijing's broader claim over the waters.

Taiwan condemned the characterization, describing it as political manipulation aimed at creating a false impression that China exercises control over waters east of Taiwan.

Indonesia also rejected any suggestion that it had endorsed China's declaration concerning the waters. However, Indonesian authorities confirmed that a freight ship had participated in the passing exercise while returning home after completing a naval exercise with Russia's Navy in Vladivostok.

“Passing exercises are common goodwill engagements conducted by navies worldwide as a manifestation of naval camaraderie and maritime diplomacy inherent in warship operations,” Indonesian Navy First Admiral Tunggul said, according to Indonesia's Antara news agency.

The Defense Forum report also examined Beijing's position that Taiwan is part of China and falls within its claimed EEZ.

Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), an EEZ can extend up to 200 nautical miles from a country's coast and provides the coastal state with specific rights over natural resources, including fish, fossil fuels and minerals. However, an EEZ does not constitute sovereign territory and does not generally prevent foreign vessels from navigating through or conducting lawful military activities in the zone.

The report alleged that the Chinese Communist Party sought to bolster its position through what it described as distorted interpretations of international law, arguing that Beijing had never exercised control over the waters concerned.