The United States has condemned what it described as “dangerous” and “provocative” maneuvers by the Chinese Navy in the South China Sea, amid rising tensions over territorial disputes in the region.
According to the U.S. Department of Defense, Chinese naval ships and aircraft have been engaging in aggressive operations, including close encounters with U.S. vessels conducting routine operations in international waters. U.S. military officials highlighted a recent incident in which a Chinese warship dangerously cut across the path of a U.S. Navy destroyer, forcing the American vessel to take evasive action to avoid a collision.
Pentagon spokesperson, Lt. Col. Maria Garcia, stated, “These types of actions by China not only jeopardize the safety of personnel but also destabilize the security environment in the region. The United States will continue to operate in the Indo-Pacific in accordance with international law.”
The South China Sea, a key waterway for global trade, has been the subject of territorial disputes for years, with China asserting sweeping claims over nearly the entire area, including waters claimed by several Southeast Asian nations. Beijing has constructed military outposts on artificial islands, further complicating the already tense geopolitical situation.
The U.S. and its allies, including Australia and Japan, have regularly conducted freedom of navigation operations (FONOPs) in the South China Sea, challenging China’s expansive claims. In response, Beijing has consistently warned foreign forces to stay out of what it considers its territorial waters.
The latest tensions come amid growing concerns over China’s military expansion and increasing assertiveness in the region. Experts say these incidents serve as a reminder of the risks of military miscalculations that could escalate into broader conflict.
While the U.S. reaffirms its commitment to ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific, experts have called for diplomatic efforts to ease tensions and prevent further incidents in this strategic and highly contested region.
China has yet to issue a formal response to the U.S. condemnation, but officials have previously defended their actions as legitimate exercises within their sovereign waters.
The situation continues to unfold, with both sides bracing for more confrontations as the global community watches closely.
source: voanews.com