US to reassert freedom of navigation in South China Sea
Washington will step-up its activity in the South China Sea in a move that may lead to diplomatic frictions with the People’s Republic of China.
Starting in about two weeks’ time, the US Navy will resume sailing within the 12-nautical mile zones surrounding the artificial islands China has been building in those waters, a senior US official told the Financial Times.
Beijing has been much more assertive in its territorial claims over the South China Sea in the last few years, despite the conflicting claims with its neighbours and according to some observers in defiance of international law.
The White House is thought to have shifted its stance after the failure of attempts to make headway on the matter during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s last visit to Washington, the FT said.
The news comes amid some signs of an escalating arms race and increased tensions in the region.
On 5 August, the Australian government announced it would accelerate plans for the construction of a new fleet of frigates by three years, to 2020.
Approximately one month later, in a parade commemorating the end of the second world war, China unveiled its new 21-D ‘carrier-killer’ missiles.
Two weeks afterwards, the upper chamber of Japan’s parliament voted 148-90 to allow the country’s military to operate overseas in limited circumstances.