South China Sea: US accuses China of “aggressive” maneuvers

South China Sea
US accuses China of “aggressive” maneuvers

A Chinese fighter jet takes off from the aircraft carrier Shandong. (icon image) photo

© Uncredited/CCTV/Xinhua/AP/dpa

Because of the radio silence between the US and China, experts warn of misunderstandings that could escalate. There has just been a dangerous incident involving military aircraft over the South China Sea.

There has been an incident involving two military planes between China and the United States over the South China Sea. The US Pacific Command accused the pilot of a Chinese fighter jet of an “unnecessarily aggressive” intercept maneuver with a US reconnaissance aircraft. The incident happened on Friday last week, as reported by the US Army on Tuesday (local time). China accused the US of “provocative and dangerous actions”. Such flights undermine China’s sovereignty.

According to the US Pacific Command, the US RC-135 aircraft flew a “safe and routine mission” in international airspace. However, the Chinese pilot flew his fighter jet right in front of the US plane’s nose and forced it through Fly the wake turbulence of the Chinese jet, which is invisible turbulence that can be dangerous for following aircraft.

“We expect all countries in the Indo-Pacific region to use international airspace safely and in accordance with international law,” the Pacific Command said. The US also released video of the incident. In Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning did not go directly into it. However, she said the real reason for the security problems over the sea was the “reconnaissance flights against China”.

China ignores the Hague ruling

China claims practically the entire South China Sea for itself. The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei also claim territories there. The United States and China’s neighbors accuse Beijing of increasing militarization of the region. The International Court of Arbitration in The Hague rejected the territorial claims in 2016. China ignores the verdict.

US-China relations have been at rock bottom for some time. China’s backing for Russia’s war in Ukraine, threats against Taiwan and the ongoing trade war are also causing controversy. Given the lack of communication between the two sides, experts warn of unwanted incidents and misunderstandings between the two armed forces that could easily escalate.

Since the scandal surrounding suspected Chinese spy balloons in February and the cancellation of a visit to China by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the dialogue has not resumed. China also rejected a US request for a defense ministers meeting. The United States had requested that its chief of department, Lloyd Austin, meet with General Li Shangfu on the sidelines of the Shangri-La security dialogue this weekend in Singapore.

In 2018, the United States imposed sanctions on the People’s Liberation Army’s weapons development department and its then head Li Shangfu for arms deals with Russia, prohibiting them from financial transactions and business relationships in the United States. The general was then appointed Secretary of Defense in March. China is calling for the sanctions to be lifted.

dpa

source site-3