freedom of navigation

U.S. warship sails near disputed South China Sea island, officials say

Published on 24 Marzo 2018 in ASIA/DEFENCE by Press Release

China’s Defence Ministry said the United States had seriously offened the country’s sovereignty and security after a U.S. Navy destroyer carried out a “freedom of navigation”, coming within 12 nautical miles of an artificial island built by China in the South China Sea, the Mischief Reef in the Spratly Islands, and carried out maneuvering operations.

The operation, which infuriated Beijing, was the latest attempt to counter what Washington sees as China’s efforts to limit freedom of navigation in the strategic waters. When asked about the operation, the U.S. military said its activities are carried out under international law and American forces operate in the region on a daily bases.

China’s Defense Ministry said two Chinese naval ships had been sent to identify the U.S. ship and warn it to leave. It described the actions of the American ship as seriously harming China’s sovereignty and security, which threatens regional peace and stability. China has always dedicated itself to protecting freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea, but opposes “illegal and provocative” moves in the name of freedom of navigation, it added.

China to safeguard sea stability: Li

China will firmly safeguard the freedom of navigation and overflight around the South China Sea, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said Tuesday at the 12th East Asia Summit. Li said China is the largest country in the South China Sea and a major country that uses the lanes in the sea, thus it shows more interest in safeguarding peace, stability, and navigational freedom in the South China Sea than any other country in the world. He stressed that peace and stability in the South China Sea benefits all countries, and with the joint efforts of China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the situation in the South China Sea tends to remain stable and shows positive signs. The related countries in the South China Sea issue have returned to the right track of negotiations and consultations, and their relations have constantly improved, he said. “Leaders of the ASEAN countries and I jointly announced yesterday the start of consultations on the text of the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea”, Li said.

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