A Chinese warship shadowed the U.S guided-missile destroyer, John S. McCain, which was transiting the disputed waters of South China Sea, reports said on Wednesday.
The destroyer’s operation was conducted as part of the freedom of navigation (FONOP) in the disputed waters, Fox News reported.
John S. McCain sailed by Gaven Reef and Johnson South Reef, which have both been claimed by China and fortified with weapons in recent years. the report said.
“This freedom of navigation operation uphold the rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of the sea recognized in international law by challenging restrictions on innocent passage imposed by China, Vietnam, and Taiwan” the 7th Fleet Public Affairs wrote in a statement.
”All interactions with foreign military forces were consistent with international norms and did not impact the operation”.
It said that the unlawful and sweeping maritime claims in the South China Sea pose a serious threat to the freedom of the seas, including the freedoms of navigation.
“Unlawful and sweeping maritime claims in the South China Sea pose a serious threat to the freedom of the seas, including the freedoms of navigation and over-flight, free trade and unimpeded commerce. The claims also threaten freedom of economic opportunity for the South China Sea littoral nations” the statement further said.
“By engaging in the innocent passage without giving prior notification to or asking permission from any of the claimants, the United States challenged the unlawful restrictions imposed by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam” it continued.
“The United States demonstrated that innocent passage may not be subject to such restrictions. As the ship passed near Chinese military installations on Gaven Reef and Johnson South Reef, a Chinese warship shadowed the McCain. The Chinese warship shadowed McCain during the operation, but all interactions were deemed “safe and professional” a U.S official told Fox News.
Indo-Pacific region is largely viewed as an area comprising the Indian Ocean and the western and central Pacific Ocean, including the South China Sea.
China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea and its efforts to advance into the Indian Ocean are seen to have challenged the established rules-based system.
China claims much of the South China Sea, but there are also overlapping claims by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
China has built bases and other outposts on shoals, reefs and rock outcroppings to deepen its claim over 80 percent of the 3.6 sq km waterway.
Vietnam, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Taiwan also claim parts of the same area.
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