A US guided-missile destroyer carried out a freedom of navigation operation (FONOP) near an artificial island controlled by China on Friday. China asserted that two People’s Liberation Army Navy frigates warded off the US vessel.
A US defense official confirmed to USNI News that the USS Mustin came within 12 nautical miles of Mischief Reef, an artificial island in the Spratly Island chain where China has built a big airfield. The US warship is also said to have conducted maneuvers near the Chinese base.
“It was America’s first such operation since January and came a day after US President Donald Trump announced it would levy US$60 billion worth of tariffs on Chinese imports – triggering immediate retaliation from Beijing,” said a report in the South China Morning Post.
China termed the US move a provocation. “China holds indisputable sovereignty over the islands and their surrounding waters in the South China Sea,” Chinese defense ministry spokesman Ren Guoqiang said in a statement via CNN. “By repeatedly sending military ships into these areas without authorization, the US has seriously harmed Chinese sovereignty and security, violated basic rules of international relations, and harmed regional peace and stability.”
US President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an order directing his trade representative to impose US$60 billion in tariffs on a range of Chinese products. Along with the tariffs, new investment restrictions will be erected and actions will be taken against China through the World Trade Organization, the president said. But the exact details of how and when Trump’s tariffs will be imposed remain unclear.
Chinese carrier headed toward South China Sea?
In related news, the Chinese Navy said, via the military’s official newspaper, on Friday that it is preparing to carry out combat drills in the South China Sea. The move was described as being part of regular annual naval exercises.
Taiwan’s defense ministry also said this week it had followed a Chinese aircraft carrier group as it passed through the Taiwan Strait in a southwesterly direction – toward the disputed South China Sea in what was believed to be a drill.
i don’t blame you.
just do not get what is not yours specially islands that are very far from your mainland.
How about philippine souveriegn rights over those islands?
Hmmmm China is really so strong now. They can just shoo away american boats just like that. I think Duterte is justified in siding with the chinks.
Tolits Mercado you dont know what your talking about… if these two big countries will be at war the whole would will suffer because of nuclear radiation including the Philippines remember these are nuclear countries
Tolits Mercado you’re mentally retarded!
Tolits Mercado, you’re an idiot!
They are concerned because missile defense systems have powerful radars which can penetrate deep into nearby territories and used for gathering information
If the World Trade Organization were to take any action against China after filing to take any action against the United States for their illegal sanctions against Russia and Iran, it will have defiled itself beyond redemption. It will show that just like the United Nations, it is nothing more than a mouthpiece for the United States.
Lets pray that nothing happens that will ignite world war three or else it will be the end of mankind.
China can only watch us carrier passby but can’t do nothing as they are scared of migth us take action or maybe shooting down an chinese aircraft,, lol
Similar to India facing a two-front situation – China on the northern flank and Pakistan on the western flank, China also faces a two-front scenario – South China Sea disputes on one hand and India breathing down it’s neck on the other side.
Mga bobo
Keep on believing that you are stronger than US.. One wrong move, then you’re done..
bec china was sleeping back then. Now they were awaken by uss burke. lol
Dan E Pedersen Remember the Philippines already won a case against China in ITLOS. ITLOS has decided that the Philippines has exclusive sovereign rights over part of South China Sea being claimed by China through their "nine-dash-line"policy.
Go ahead China, make your day. It’s time for you to walk the talk if the US is violating your rule. US want to kick your ass. Are you not aware of this?
FONOP is the surest way to drive China to re-arm to the "teeth". Western allies & Japan collude to bully China "a hundred years" ago is still fresh in the memory of the Chinese. Do you blame China for wanting to be strong?
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/141195/un-international-court-had-no-role-in-philippines-case/amp
The area where the US destroyer, USS Mustin, is part of the West Phillipine Seas which exclusive economic zone is owned by the Philippines as judged by an International Court in The Hague which also declared that the Chinese claim is not valid. The USS Mustin has all the right to pass there in any direction it wants. It is China creating the problems in that area and not the US Navy.
http://www.manilatimes.net/vietnam-serious-threat-us-south-china-sea-dispute/344307/