China's cheap tricks continue, spies ASEAN-India naval drills in South China Sea to "intimidate"
Total Views |
In yet another attempt to use cheap tricks to increase dominance, Chinese boats and maritime militia reportedly tracked the drills carried out by the navies of India and ASEAN countries in the South China Sea. Reportedly, the aim of Beijing appeared to be using the militia to intimidate. They apparently wanted to disrupt the naval exercise, which concluded on Monday.
The ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise
The inaugural edition of the AIME 2023 joint exercise was scheduled to start from 2 May and continue till 8 May. It involved a total of nine ships and six aircraft, In addition to that, more than 1,800 personnel took part from across the bloc's member states. The exercise is being co-hosted by the Singapore Navy and the Indian Navy in which the six warships and nine aircraft from the navies of India, Vietnam, Brunei, Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand are taking part.
This exercise were expected to enhance interoperability and cooperation between the participating navies and promote a rules-based order in the South China Sea, which is crucial for ensuring freedom of navigation and overflight in the region.
#INSDelhi & #INSSatpura successfully participated in various activities during harbour phase of #ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise 2023. The @ASEAN & #IndianNavy ships subsequently commenced the Sea Phase in #SouthChinaSea which terminates today #08May.@IN_HQENC @mindefsg https://t.co/uVCi3iPUVF pic.twitter.com/3g0LpGw4Rl
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) May 8, 2023
Indian Navy said that INS Delhi and INS Satpura have successfully participated in various activities during the harbour phase of the AIME 2023. The navy tweeted: "INS Delhi & INS Satpura successfully participated in various activities during the harbour phase of the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise 2023. The ASEAN & Indian Navy ships subsequently commenced the Sea Phase in the South China Sea which terminates today 8th May."
Chinese vessels in the South China Sea
The presence of the Chinese vessels was first reported on social media by former US Air Force officer, Ray Powell who tracks developments in South China Sea for the Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation at Stanford University. He said that on Sunday evening, five Chinese maritime militia ships moved from the Spratly Islands to the area of the India-Asean drill. Three other Chinese maritime militia ships left Subi Reef and headed in the direction of the exercise area on Monday.
1/Yesterday a flotilla of #China maritime militia ships moving SE executed an unusual 90deg turn, spread out & began moving SW—on a course that would intriguingly lead them directly into the #ASEAN-#India Maritime Exercise group headed NE from Singapore.
— Ray Powell (@GordianKnotRay) May 8, 2023
But wait… [🧵1/5] pic.twitter.com/Bs3aPxZ6CD
The Chinese ships were seen about 100 nautical miles away from the area where the exercises were taking place and did not belong to the country’s navy.
The Indian sources said that the Chinese militia was in the Vietnamese Exclusive Economic Zone and the naval vessels even crossed each other, but they didn't engage.
India keeps an eye on China’s moves
India has been continuously keeping a close watch on China’s moves in the South China Sea. New Delhi is also taking all the preventive measures to ensure that the Chinese navy doesn’t gain a stronghold on the Indian Ocean where combat-ready Indian warships have been conducting round-the-clock surveillance for any unusual activity.
India has been consistently voicing for a free, open, and inclusive order in the Indo-Pacific and has been emphasizing respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations.