- Sputnik International
Asia
Find top stories and features from Asia and the Pacific region. Keep updated on major political stories and analyses from Asia and the Pacific. All you want to know about China, Japan, North and South Korea, India and Pakistan, Southeast Asia and Oceania.

Beijing Slams US Decision to Sail Warship Through Disputed South China Sea

Subscribe
Beijing condemned a US Navy freedom of navigation operation on Friday that sent a Arleigh-Burke class guided missile destroyer near disputed islets in the South China Sea.

China's Defense Ministry stated March 23 that the United States harmed China's sovereignty and jeopardized its security by conducting the operation earlier that day. The ministry accused the US of having conducted a "serious military provocation."

In this Friday, Sept. 16, 2016 photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese Navy frigate Huangshan, left, and Russian Navy antisubmarine ship Admiral Tributs take part in a joint naval drill at sea off south China's Guangdong Province. - Sputnik International
Asia
Beijing Building World’s Largest Drone Ship Test Site by South China Sea

Specifically, the USS Mustin, whose motto is "Always Be Bold," cruised within 12 nautical miles of Mischief Reef in the Spratly archipelago, US officials told Reuters. The atoll was once a fisherman's shelter yet has evolved into a full on military base with the help of China's artificial island construction activities.

According to the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, China has installed anti-aircraft guns and probably close-in weapon systems (CIWS) on Mischief Reef. A CIWS is intended to spot and neutralize short-range hostile missiles or aircraft.

The reef is also claimed by Taiwan, the Philippines and Vietnam.

The Chinese Defense Ministry said that the US vessel was "warned off" by frigates from the People's Liberation Army-Navy. Beijing also announced that a navy exercise would take place in disputed waters on March 23.

Soldiers of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China arrive on their armoured vehicles at Tiananmen Square during the military parade marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War Two, in Beijing, China, September 3, 2015. - Sputnik International
China to Apply ‘Military Pressure’ Against US for Signing of Taiwan Travel Act

On Thursday, US President Donald Trump announced that new tariffs would target between $50 and $60 billion worth of Chinese-made goods exported to the US, adding that it would be the "first of many" actions taken to reduce the US trade deficit with China.

China's Ministry of Commerce said in a statement Friday that it was soliciting public opinions regarding a policy that intends to "impose tariffs on certain products imported from the United States." A spokesman for the ministry said that a tentative list of products to tax contains seven categories and 128 products.

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала