Wednesday, April 29, 2020

US Navy Sends A Second Ship Into Disputed Waters In The South China Sea

USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) transits the Philippine Sea, on March 24, 2020. US Navy Photo

Newsweek: Navy Sends Second Ship Into Disputed Waters After China Claims It Scrambled Jets to Expel U.S. Destroyer

A U.S. Navy sailed a second ship through the South China Seas this week, further challenging Beijing's claim to the disputed waters after the People's Liberation Army (PLA) claimed that it expelled the first ship amid escalating tensions over the disputed region and the global pandemic.

The USS Barry carried out the "freedom of navigation operation" on Tuesday, the Navy said in a statement to Newsweek. Their mission was to maintain the "rights, freedoms and lawful uses of the sea recognized in international law."

"Unlawful and sweeping maritime claims in the South China Sea pose an unprecedented threat to the freedom of the seas, including the freedoms of navigation and overflight and the right of innocent passage of all ships," the Navy said.

Read more ....

Update #1: US Navy ship sails through Chinese-claimed waters in South China Sea -- AFP
Update #2: USS Bunker Hill Conducts 2nd South China Sea Freedom of Navigation Operation This Week -- USNI News

WNU Editor: China meanwhile is boasting that it chased the USS Barry out of their territory in the South China Sea’s Paracel Island chain on Tuesday .... China claims it chased off a US Navy ship from contested waters in the South China Sea (War Is Boring).

2 comments:

  1. They wish. I would be willing to bet any amount there are US subs in that area. Chinese will regret doing anything to start a problem

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  2. Dave. We all will loose in a conflict, so while I agree there are subs for sure, the Chinese have more subs in the area. And on top, it's not worth a war. So if they do something, of course retaliate, but understand they will retaliate immediately too and you gotta be prepared to be outnumbered over there. Maybe not outteched, or out-experienced - but outnumbered. And tons of rockets pointing at you. Both US ships and even a sub could be lost in a small conflict. Gotta understand it's not the Iranian navy we'd be facing but the Chinese which is one of the most advanced and largest navies. Not saying don't defend international waters but just be realistic that any first conflict in the western Pacific/south China Sea theatre will be heavily lost, most likely. So the two ships sent need a bit of luck :) may the wind blow in your favour! Is that a saying at sea? ^_^

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