Members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have begun their first ever joint military exercise. The drills are taking place on some Indonesian Islands. Jakarta asked for the exercise to be held. It holds the rotating chair of ASEAN this year.

Most of the ASEAN members are taking part in the drills as observers. Timor-Leste is also participating as an observer. The country has been admitted to ASEAN "in principle." The exercise will take place through Saturday.

Admiral Yudo Margono is the commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces. He said that the drills are not combat operations, as ASEAN is more concerned with economic issues. He also said that the training sessions will focus on disaster relief and humanitarian activities.

The drills will be conducted on Batam Island and on the Natuna Islands. The Natuna Islands are located in waters south of the South China Sea.

Chinese ships have entered Indonesia's exclusive economic zone in recent years.

The joint exercise comes amid rising tensions with China. Beijing released a map with a "10-dash line" in August. The line accords with the Chinese government's claim that Beijing has jurisdiction over almost all of the South China Sea. Several ASEAN members have rejected the map.