ASEAN's First Joint Military Exercise in South China Sea Amid Tensions.

ASEAN will hold its first-ever joint military exercise in the South China Sea in September, hosted by Indonesia in the North Natuna Sea. The exercise aims to strengthen "ASEAN centrality" and will not include combat operations training. The South China Sea has been a source of tension due to competing claims by ASEAN members and China, with China asserting sovereignty over vast stretches of ocean. ASEAN has been pushing for a maritime code of conduct with China, but several of its members have had run-ins with Beijing in recent months.