Beijing Accuses US Destroyer of Violating China’s Territorial Waters

The USS Curtis Wilbur, a guided-missile destroyer home-ported in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, conducted the so-called freedom of navigation operation (FONOP) near Triton Island, part of the Paracel island chain in the disputed South China Sea.

A Pentagon spokesman said that Saturday’s operation was to challenge the three claimant countries’-China, Taiwan, and Vietnam- self-imposed restrictions on the freedom of navigation and freedoms.

No prior notice of the USA vessel’s transit was given to China or any other regional authorities, “which is consistent with our normal process and worldwide law”, the Pentagon spokesman said.

However China’s foreign ministry described the actions by the U.S.as “intentionally provocative” and “irresponsible and extremely dangerous”.

China seized full control of the Paracels in the 1970s following a naval showdown with Vietnam – and earlier in January, Beijing announced plans to attract private investment to the islands.

“Of course, we believe Taiping is our land, and we are effectively exercising our right to govern it. Because there are no doubts about that, then why bother make a high-profile trip before stepping down”, Yao said in a Facebook post.

A Chinese statement on territorial sea baseline on May 15, 1996 announced part of the baseline of the territorial sea adjacent to China’s mainland and the baseline of the territorial sea adjacent to the Xisha Islands.

China, Taiwan and Vietnam have attempted to restrict navigation around islands and other features in the area, seeking prior permission from vessels sailing near them. “US ships have entered into 12 nautical miles of the Spratly Islands, and now they have sailed into the Paracel Islands”.

Beijing claims most of the South China Sea – through which more than US$5 trillion (S$7.1 trillion) in shipborne trade passes every year.

The situation is getting tense in the South China Sea, as China is proceeding with its efforts to unilaterally change the status quo. Chinese military observer Song Zhongping said one of the US’ goals is to bring tension back to the region.

China is not taking the action lightly – A defense ministry spokesman called the move, “a deliberate provocation” adding, “The U.S. act severely violated Chinese law, sabotaged the peace, security and the good order of the water, and undermined the region’s peace and stability”.

During an appearance in Washington at the Center for Strategic and International Studies on Thursday, the commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, Adm. Harry Harris Jr., said the Navy would conduct more freedom of navigation operations, but he gave no notice that the patrol by the Curtis Wilbur would come so soon.

This FONOP is more straightforward because it’s clear precisely what is being claimed – and that the United States rejects those claims as “excessive” and “inconsistent with global law”.

The US has reiterated that its operations in the South China Sea will continue despite vehement protests from China and other claimant countries.

The warship sailed close to a disputed island in the South China Sea on Saturday, challenging maritime claims by China, Taiwan and Vietnam.

“This operation demonstrates, as President [Barack] Obama and Secretary [of Defense Ash] Carter have stated, the United States will fly, sail and operate anywhere worldwide law allows”.