[Cross-Strait] US Warship Approaches South China Sea; PLA: Dispatches Troops to Monitor USS Charleston
RtiTalk 小編1d ago
According to Reuters, the Chinese military announced today (20th) that it has dispatched troops to monitor a US warship that has "illegally" entered waters near disputed islands in the South China Sea. Meanwhile, in waters further north in the South China Sea, Taiwan reported a standoff with a Chinese coast guard vessel.
Although Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam also claim sovereignty over parts of the South China Sea, China considers almost the entire busy waterway as its territory. Tensions between Beijing and Manila have been particularly notable recently.
The Southern Theatre Command of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) stated that the US Navy's littoral combat ship, the USS Charleston, "intruded" into waters near Sabina Shoal in the Spratly Islands early this morning without the permission of the Chinese government.
The Southern Theatre Command said in a statement: "The US action infringes upon China's sovereign rights and interests, threatens maritime safety, and is not conducive to regional peace and stability."
The statement added: "The US should immediately cease relevant activities."
The statement further said that the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy organized forces to track and monitor the USS Charleston in accordance with laws and regulations.
The US Navy did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The US Navy typically refers to such actions as "freedom of navigation operations," but its last such operation in the South China Sea was over a year ago.
According to the Philippine Coast Guard, a Chinese coast guard vessel collided with a Philippine vessel conducting refueling operations near the same island reef last month. China blamed the Philippines for the collision.
Both China and the Philippines have disputed sovereignty over Sabina Shoal and the entire Spratly Islands. The Philippines has a mutual defense treaty with the United States.
East Sha Island Standoff
In another incident today in the northern part of the South China Sea, Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration reported that a Chinese coast guard vessel entered restricted waters near the Pratas Islands, which are controlled by Taiwan.
Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration stated that it dispatched the coast guard vessel "Taichung" to warn and drive away the Chinese coast guard ship, and that both sides engaged in radio communication.
The Coast Guard Administration reported that the Chinese coast guard vessel broadcasted, claiming "Your so-called Republic of China does not exist," while the "Taichung" refuted via broadcast, stating, "The Republic of China, Taiwan is a sovereign and independent country." The Coast Guard Administration added that the standoff is ongoing.
China's Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Taiwan Affairs Office stated last week that Taiwan's coast guard vessels used water cannons to drive away Chinese fishing boats in the East Sha waters, and that Taiwan must "bear the consequences."
The Pratas Islands are located roughly between southern Taiwan and Hong Kong but are lightly defended, with their security managed by Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration.
Source Link: https://www.rti.org.tw/news?uid=3&pid=238722
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