China angered and denounced what it called an illegal, dangerous and provocative act of the three United States destroyers recently patrols nearly close to Chinese-held features in the disputed South China Sea, that would likely to fuel tension as the court ruling nears over China’s questionable maritime claims.
The patrols were first reported by the Washington-based Navy Times newspaper, it said that according to a US navy officials on Thursday, the US destroyers Stethem, Spruance, and Momsen have been patrolling near Chinese-held reefs and artificial islands in the Spratlys archipelago and the Scarborough Shoal, which is inside the Philippines 200 mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
A high-level clearance is required to launch this so-called freedom of navigation wherein the destroyers were safely operated within 14 to 20 nautical miles of the Chinese-occupied features, not close enough to be within the required 12 nautical miles limits, the Navy Times reported.
Tension has been rising in the region prior to the July 12 ruling by an arbitration court ruling on the dispute between China and the Philippines over the South China Sea.
The United States insisted that China should follow the rule of law and that the UNCLOS court ruling are binding and an important test of Beijing’s willingness to adhere to international law.
A spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry said in a statement that the three U.S. vessel entered Chinese waters “illegally and without the Chinese government’s permission,” made the Chinese authorities monitored their activities and warned them as it passed.
“We reiterated that the tribunal has no jurisdiction to judge the case as it is related to China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime demarcation,” Chinese foreign ministry added.
China has refused to participate in the proceedings and declared that it won’t recognize the verdict. Instead, they are willing to go for an armed confrontation, as reported by the state-run newspaper, published by the ruling Communist Party’s official People’s Daily. – Robert Beelak
Thank you US for your help to empose international norms and laws. I wonder what this world looks like if you don’t care at all.
West Philippine sea 200 Mile EEZ resources belong to the Philippine people this exclusive economic zone has wealth estimates oil and gas reserves of 25,000 USD per person. Thats a lot of Hydrocarbons.
Philippine will speak chinese very soon and no more catholic church…
we must fast track building up our navy and air force to enforce our sovereign rights in our territory…
prioritize getting frigates and multi role fighter jets, even second hand will do as the immediate interim solution…
get the italian maestral frigates and isarel kfir jets immediately, then brand news later when there is enough budget…