New Delhi: A U.S. Navy destroyer sailed near islands claimed by China in the South China Sea on Friday, according to a report by Reuters.
USS Mustin traveled close to Mischief Reef in the Spratly Islands and carried out maneuvering operations. China has territorial disputes with its neighbors over the area.
The US military says it carries out “freedom of navigation” operations throughout the world, including in areas claimed by allies, and that they are separate from political considerations.
An estimated US$5 trillion worth of global trade passes through the South China Sea and many non-claimant states want the South China Sea to remain international waters. To promote this, several states, including the United States, conduct “freedom of navigation” operations.
So far, neither China’s Foreign nor Defence Ministries immediately responded to a request for comment.
This is not the first time that the US Navy has operated in the disputed region. In October last year missile destroyer USS Hopper came within 12 nautical miles – an internationally recognized territorial limit – of Huangyan Island, which is also known as Scarborough Shoal and subject to a rival claim by the Philippines.
The U.S. military has a longstanding position that its operations are carried out throughout the world, including in areas claimed by allies, and they are separate from political considerations.
Washington has criticized China’s construction of islands and build-up of military facilities in the sea, and is concerned they could be used to restrict free nautical movement.
The Trump administration’s new National Security Strategy unveiled last year is remarkably critical of China, warning that Beijing’s “efforts to build and militarize outposts in the South China Sea endanger the free flow of trade, threaten the sovereignty of other nations, and undermine regional stability.”
The South China Sea disputes involve both island and maritime claims among several sovereign states within the region, namely Brunei, the People’s Republic of China (PRC), Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
Last year, Vietnam granted Indian oil firm ONGC Videsh a two-year extension to explore oil block 128 in the South China Sea. Part of that block is located in the U-shaped ‘nine-dash line’ which marks the vast area that China claims in the sea.
Vietnam’s PetroVietnam and India’s state-run explorer ONGC Videsh Limited had signed a three-year agreement for developing long-term co-operation in the oil sector. In response, PRC Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu, without referring to India by name, stated:
“China enjoys indisputable sovereignty over the South China Sea and the island. China’s stand is based on historical facts and international law. China’s sovereign rights and positions are formed in the course of history and this position has been held by Chinese Government for long. As for oil and gas exploration activities, our consistent position is that we are opposed to any country engaging in oil and gas exploration and development activities in waters under China’s jurisdiction. We hope the foreign countries do not get involved in South China Sea dispute.”
The latest operation, the first since January, comes just a day after U.S. President Donald Trump signed a presidential memorandum that will target up to $60 billion in Chinese goods with tariffs.
