Will other Southeast Asian countries follow Indonesia’s example with joint China drill?

China and Indonesia’s recent joint naval exercise east of Taiwan has prompted speculation that other Southeast Asian countries may follow suit.

Last Wednesday’s drill – which one observer said may “lower the political threshold” for neighbouring countries – was followed by a meeting of the two countries’ foreign and defence ministers on Friday, where they discussed further military cooperation and a range of other topics, such as food security.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Indonesia was a priority for China’s foreign policy in Southeast Asia and both countries needed to strengthen strategic communication and co-ordination.

The so-called 2+2 mechanism with Indonesia was set up in 2023 and has served as the model for similar arrangements with Malaysia, Cambodia and Thailand, a treaty ally of the United States.

“We will jointly oppose unilateral bullying and power politics. We must also remain vigilant against attempts in the region to challenge the victorious outcomes in World War II and turn back the wheel of history. We should safeguard international fairness and justice, as well as the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries,” Wang said.

His Indonesian counterpart, Sugiono, said the two sides discussed strengthening food, energy and mineral security and advanced technology such as artificial intelligence.