In a “navigational rights mission” operation on Monday, the USS Milius, a US Navy guided-missile destroyer, sailed through waters in the South China Sea that are claimed by Beijing, as stated by the Navy. The operation was conducted to uphold the lawful uses of the sea and freedoms, according to a statement by the Navy.
Image Source: Reuters
The USS Milius asserted navigational rights and freedoms in the South China Sea near the Spratly Islands in line with international law. After the operation, the destroyer exited the excessive claim area and continued its operations in the South China Sea. The ship sailed within 12 nautical miles of Mischief Reef, approximately 1,400 kilometers (860 miles) away from the southern tip of Taiwan’s mainland, the statement said.
China’s military has accused the US warship
USS Milius illegally entered the waters near the Meiji Reef in the Nansha Islands without Beijing’s approval. In response, the Chinese air force monitored the vessel’s activities. Meanwhile, approximately 1,300 kilometers away, Chinese fighter jets and warships are engaging in three days of military exercises around Taiwan, which involve simulated strikes on the island.
These exercises have drawn criticism from Taipei and call for restraint from Washington, which is closely monitoring Beijing’s actions. According to Beijing, fighter jets carrying “live ammunition” carried out simulated strikes near Taiwan on Monday, while its Shandong aircraft carrier participated in the ongoing drills. The disputed area, which encompasses exclusive economic zones of various countries, including the Philippines, sees trillions of dollars in trade passing through it annually.
The movement of the USS Milius in the South China Sea near the Paracel Islands caused a disagreement between China and the U.S. last month also, as China claimed that the vessel had entered its territorial waters. The disputed area is subject to China’s extensive claims, which overlap with exclusive economic zones of various countries, such as the Philippines. The region serves as a critical trade route, with trillions of dollars in comm
Trending: Rinku’s sixes fever leads KKR to history’s greatest IPL finish
