News Analysis
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will conduct its first joint military exercises in the South China Sea in September. The move indicates that ASEAN is joining other countries pushing back against communist China’s hegemonic ambitions.
Indonesia, the rotating president country of the ASEAN, made the announcement on June 8. In addition to the 10 member states, participants will include the observer country East Timor (Timor-Leste).
The ASEAN members are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Burma (Myanmar), the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Admiral Yudo Margono, Indonesia’s military commander, confirmed ASEAN’s joint military exercises. He told Indonesia state news agency Antara on June 8 that the move aims to strengthen the “ASEAN centrality,” Reuters reported….