At the weekend, China’s military claimed it had chased away a US destroyer the US Navy ship said was on a normal freedom of navigation operation in the South China Sea.
The South China Sea is the location where a Chinese navy ship can be spotted sailing. (Source: Reuters)
Chinese Military: US Navy Ships to Track Near South China Sea
On Saturday, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Southern Theatre Command said on WeChat that its navy and air forces will “track, monitor and warn away” the US warship. In accordance with international law, the United States Navy published a statement on Sunday stating that the Hopper had asserted its navigational rights in the South China Sea near the Paracel Islands. China claims most of the South China Sea, which transports $3 trillion in ship-borne goods, including sections claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. 2016’s Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled China’s claims were unfounded.
After Beijing accused Manila of enlisting foreign military to patrol the South China maritime, the Philippines and Australia began their first joint maritime and air patrols on Saturday. China said the weekend incident “proves that the US is an out-and-out security risk creator’ in the South China Sea”. Lieutenant Kristina Weidemann, US 7th Fleet deputy spokesperson, emailed, “The US challenges excessive maritime claims worldwide regardless of claimant. Unlawful and expansive South China marine maritime claims threaten marine freedom.” The US State Department claimed the US raised “dangerous and unlawful” Chinese actions during maritime talks with China earlier this month, particularly the South China Sea.
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