US Still Acting as ‘Global Sheriff,’ Fanning Flames in S China Sea

The United States’ overzealous involvement in the South China Sea is violating international law and escalating tensions in the region. But despite the continuous protests by China against such actions, the US military has called this move the ‘new normal,’ according to China Daily.

The United States has continued its military operations across the South China Sea, with some senior US officials saying that such moves will be even more frequent in the future.

A former US defense official, quoted by media reports, said that the United States is sticking to freedom of navigation and is ‘following the rules’.

“Some Western media on Sunday called the recent US military moves in the South China Sea the ‘new normal,’ in spite of continuous opposition from China,” online publication China Daily reported.

As the publication noted, the US’ interference into the South China Sea is unlawful and can never serve to cover up ‘gross violations of other countries’ sovereignty and territorial integrity’.

These are attempts to whitewash Washington’s excessive ambition of keeping a dominant presence in the region. By promoting their ‘freedom of navigation or overflight,’

Washington has repeatedly shown itself as a “global sheriff, neglecting the fact that the South China Sea had enjoyed decades of peace and commercial prosperity before the 1970s.”

“Launching the ‘Freedom of Navigation (FON)’ program in 1979, under the Jimmy Carter administration, Washington just wants to legitimize its undeserved interests around the world depending on its military supremacy,” China Daily wrote.

The United States has always blamed China for inflaming regional tension but China has repeatedly called for a peaceful resolution of disputes.

Ma Zhaoxu, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, said on Friday that the South China Sea issue must be resolved peacefully through constructive and meaningful negotiations with neighboring countries.

“Upholding freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea is not only an obligation under international law. It is also in line with China's own interests, as well as the interests of all countries in the region,” Ma said.