U.S. Navy destroyer sails near militarized, manmade Chinese island, drawing rebuke from Beijing

The U.S. Navy introduced Monday that one among its guided-missile destroyers sailed close to a Chinese language artifical island within the South China Sea, drawing accusations from Beijing that the ship “illegally trespassed” within the space.  

The “freedom of navigation operation” carried out by the usMilius close to Mischief Reef – which a U.S. admiral mentioned final 12 months was one among at the least three islands China has built and militarized within the space – got here as China despatched practically a dozen warships and 70 fighter jets towards Taiwan. 

“Illegal and sweeping maritime claims within the South China Sea pose a severe menace to the liberty of the seas, together with the freedoms of navigation and overflight, free commerce and unimpeded commerce, and freedom of financial alternative for South China Sea littoral nations,” the U.S. Navy seventh Fleet mentioned in a press release Monday. 

“By participating in regular operations inside 12 nautical miles of Mischief Reef, the USA demonstrated that vessels can lawfully train high-seas freedoms in these areas,” it added. 

CHINESE MILITARY DRILLS NEAR TAIWAN CONTINUE FOR THIRD DAY WITH LARGEST FORCE YET 

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Milius sails in an undisclosed location on Monday, April 10. (U.S. Navy picture by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Greg Johnson)

The seventh Fleet mentioned below worldwide legislation, “options like Mischief Reef which might be submerged at excessive tide of their naturally fashioned state aren’t entitled to a territorial sea.” 

The USS Milius’ actions prompted criticism from China’s army, which mentioned Monday that the destroyer “illegally trespassed into the waters… with out the approval of the Chinese language authorities” and that its naval and air forces monitored the ship. 

“China has indeniable sovereignty over the South China Sea islands and their adjoining waters,” mentioned Air Power Senior Col. Tian Junli, a spokesman for China’s Southern Theater Command. “The troops of the PLA Southern Theater Command will at all times keep on excessive alert and resolutely safeguard China’s nationwide sovereignty and safety, in addition to peace and stability within the South China Sea.” 

CHINA CONDUCTS SIMULATED STRIKES ON TAIWAN 

Chinese language buildings and buildings are seen on the artifical island of Mischief Reef within the South China Sea in March 2022. (AP)

Final 12 months, U.S. Indo-Pacific commander Adm. John C. Aquilino informed The Related Press that missile arsenals, plane hangars, radar methods and different army amenities have been constructed by China on Mischief Reef and two different close by islands. 

“The operate of these islands is to increase the offensive functionality of the Folks’s Republic of China past their continental shores,” he mentioned. “They will fly fighters, bombers plus all these offensive capabilities of missile methods.” 

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The seventh Fleet mentioned Monday that operations carried out by ships like the usMilius within the South China Sea reveal “that the USA will fly, sail, and function wherever worldwide legislation permits – whatever the location of extreme maritime claims and no matter present occasions.” (US Navy)

Aquilino mentioned army and civilian planes touring in these areas might get inside vary of the Chinese language missile protection methods on the islands. 

“In order that’s the menace that exists, that’s why it’s so regarding for the militarization of those islands,” he informed the AP. “They threaten all nations who function within the neighborhood and all of the worldwide sea and airspace.”