Sunday, May 27, 2018

Two US Warships Sail Near South China Sea Islands Claimed By China

The guided missile cruiser USS Antietam. Source DoD

The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Higgins. Reuters

Reuters: Exclusive: U.S. warships sail near South China Sea islands claimed by Beijing

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Two U.S. Navy warships sailed near South China Sea islands claimed by China on Sunday, two U.S. officials told Reuters, in a move likely to anger Beijing as President Donald Trump seeks its continued cooperation on North Korea.

The operation was the latest attempt to counter what Washington sees as Beijing’s efforts to limit freedom of navigation in the strategic waters.

While this operation had been planned months in advance, and similar operations have become routine, it comes at a particularly sensitive time and just days after the Pentagon uninvited China from a major U.S.-hosted naval drill.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: I expect the Chinese will be responding very soon to this U.S. Navy sail-by.

Update: That did not take too long .... US Warships Enter Disputed South China Sea Waters, Beijing Slams Move (Sputnik)

More News On Reports That Two US Warships Sailed Near Chinese claimed South China Sea Islands

US warships sail near disputed islands in South China Sea in a move likely to anger Beijing -- ABC News Online
US sends warships near disputed island in South China Sea: report -- The Hill
US warships sail near disputed islands in South China Sea, officials say -- FOX News
US warships near South China Sea islands -- SBS
US warships sail near disputed South China Sea islands – report -- RT

4 comments:

Unknown said...

Lanikai missions?

https://www.americanheritage.com/content/strange-mission-lanikai

One ship by itself cannot put up much of fight if a surprise attack is launched.

More like a trip wire.

Anonymous said...

This is becoming a nice ritual. Peaceful even.

Unknown said...

Right of ways are exercised or they disappear in international politics or at the municipal level.

No ritual about it; it is no fun being under the gun.

jac said...

First time there are two boats. Good.