As per to the US Navy on Thursday, May 9, in the new show of naval force in the disputed South China Sea, a US guided missile destructive force directed drills with a Japanese aircraft carrier, two Indian naval ships as well as a Philippine patrol vessel in the watercourse which is also claimed by China.
However similar exercises have been conducted in the South China Sea in the earlier years, the mutual demonstration by four nations symbolizes a fresh challenge to Beijing as US President Donald Trump threatens to hike charges on $200 billion worth of Chinese merchandises.
Commander Andrew J. Klug, the captain of the US destroyer, the USS William P. Lawrence, said in a recent statement on Thursday, “Professional engagements with our allies, partners and friends in the region are opportunities to build upon our existing, strong relationships.”
The united military drills come days after the U.S. Navy sent two warships nearby two Chinese-held man-made islands in the South China Sea’s Spratly island chain, stimulating a fuming response from China.
Japan also led one of its two big aircraft carriers, the Izumo, while on the other hand, India deployed a destroyer, the INS Kolkata, as well as a tanker, the INS Shakti.
The week of joint drills, which finished on Wednesday, derives after two additional US warships sailed nearby islands in the region claimed by China on Monday, stimulating a protest from Beijing, which said the action overstepped its sovereignty.
The US Navy also says that it conducts such freedom of navigation operations in worldwide waters all around the globe, even in seas claimed by its associates, deprived of the political concerns.
China also claims nearly all of the planned South China Sea with Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam pushing contending claims to parts of the naval region. The United States, Japan as well as India do not have any provincial claims there.
As per to the China’ state-run Global Times newspaper, it stated that the operations prompted the nation of the crucial need to reinforce China’s navy.
“Only if the Chinese navy is sufficiently strong will US warships dare not willfully enter China’s offshore waters to flex their muscles,” it said. “A strong Chinese navy is the guarantee for peace and stability of the South China Sea and even the whole world.”
In a distinct challenge to Beijing in the Asian waters, the USS William P. Lawrence and an additional US destroyer set sail through the Taiwan Strait in the month of April sorting out Taiwan, which Beijing outlooks as a rogue region, from the Chinese land.
MSDF Rear Adm. Hiroshi Egawa said in a statement which is released by the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet, it stated, “The opportunity of a multi-sail with U.S. Navy and regional partners was a great experience.” The statement further added, “In addition to building mutual understanding and trust, it also served as a way to enhance peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. The ability to do various exercises among four different navies smoothly demonstrated professionalism and high operational skills.”
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