Indonesia Hosts 'Humanitarian Operation' MNEK
Including Korea and UK, Total 36 Countries Invited
Despite the prolonged global hegemony conflict between Western countries led by the United States and China and Russia, they will engage in joint maritime exercises during a multinational training held in Indonesia.
Antara News Agency and AFP reported on the 5th (local time) that the navies of the United States, China, Russia, and Australia have decided to participate in the 'International Multilateral Naval Komodo Exercise (MNEK)' held from the 5th to the 8th in Makassar, Indonesia, and have either dispatched or plan to dispatch their naval vessels.
The Indonesian Navy has been holding MNEK biennially since 2014 to strengthen cooperation among allied countries, regional maritime cooperation, disaster relief, and humanitarian operation capabilities. The exercise was not held after 2018 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Chinese government has already dispatched the guided missile destroyer Zhanjiang and the frigate Xuchang, and the U.S. Navy has also dispatched a Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). The U.S. Embassy in Indonesia stated that it looks forward to cooperating with like-minded countries, allies, and partners to address common issues such as humanitarian and disaster response. According to AFP, Russia and Australia also plan to send naval vessels.
The exercise includes a total of 36 countries, including the host country Indonesia, the United States, China, Russia, Australia, as well as South Korea, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, Canada, Myanmar, and India.
Although MNEK is a non-combat exercise, it is considered very unusual for the United States, Australia, China, and Russia to participate in the same exercise. Indonesia, which follows a non-aligned neutral policy, invited all conflicting countries such as the United States and China to the multinational exercise, which became the catalyst.
It is believed that it was difficult to refuse Indonesia's invitation, given its strategic importance in the Indo-Pacific strategy that each country is focusing on. In particular, Indonesia also possesses geographical advantages along with abundant natural resources and labor force.
The Indonesian Navy stated, "This exercise, held under the theme 'Recover and Rise Stronger Partnership,' aims to prioritize regional maritime cooperation," and announced that the navies of 36 countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to recover and strengthen together.
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