Indonesia, US troops hold live-fire drill as China tensions mount

Commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command Admiral John Aquilino (right) walks with Indonesian Armed Forces Chief General Andika Perkasa during the Super Garuda Shield 2022 joint military exercises in Baturaja, South Sumatra on August 12, 2022. - AFP

BATURAJA, Indonesia (AFP): Thousands of troops from Indonesia, the United States and allies held a live-fire drill Friday (Aug 12) as part of what a top US general said was Washington's efforts to prevent a regional conflict after China's "destabilising actions" around Taiwan.

The United States and its Asian allies have expressed growing concern about China's increasing assertiveness in the Pacific, but Washington said the drills were not aimed at any nation even though they were larger than previous training missions.