A U.S. guided missile cruiser operating in international waters in the South China Sea was forced to take evasive action last week to avoid a collision with a Chinese navy ship maneuvering nearby, the U.S. Pacific Fleet said in a statement on Friday. The incident on December 5 involving the USS Cowpens came at a time of heightened tensions between the United States and China following Beijing's declaration of an Air Defense Identification Zone in the East China Sea. The Pacific Fleet statement did not offer details about what led to the near-collision. But it did say the incident underscored the need for the "highest standards of professional seamanship, including communications between vessels, to mitigate the risk of an unintended incident or mishap." Beijing declared the air defense zone over the East China Sea late last month and demanded that aircraft flying through the area provide it with flight plans and other information. The United States and its allies rejected the Chinese … [Read more...] about US, Chinese warships narrowly avoid collision in South China Sea
Us warship in south china sea
New Australian PM urges Beijing to cool tensions in South China Sea
Australia's new Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has advised China to ease off on island construction in the South China Sea if it wants a reduced US presence in the region. Beijing claims almost the whole of the sea and over the past year has been converting reefs into artificial islands, with military facilities, sparking regional concern and warnings from Washington. "There clearly are some tensions with the islands in the South China Sea, the reefs I should say, shoals," Turnbull told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation late Monday. "China would be better advised, in its own interest frankly, not to be pushing the envelope there," Turnbull said in an interview a week after he grabbed power in an internal Liberal Party coup. "What we need to ensure is that the rise of China... is... conducted in a manner that does not disturb the security and the relative harmony of the region upon which China's prosperity depends. "The pushing the envelope in the South China Sea has had exactly … [Read more...] about New Australian PM urges Beijing to cool tensions in South China Sea
China building possible airfield in South China Sea: US
The vast land reclamation project on the Fiery Cross Reef in the Truong Sa (Spratly) Islands, which is claimed by Vietnam, is one of several pursued by China but the first that could accommodate an airstrip, Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Pool said. "It appears that's what they're working toward," Pool told AFP. A harbour also has been dug out on the east side of the reef that appears large enough for tankers and naval warships. "We urge China to stop its land reclamation program, and engage in diplomatic initiatives to encourage all sides to restrain themselves in these sorts of activities" -- Jeffrey Pool, US military spokesman The United States wants China to halt the project and for other governments to cease similar efforts. "We urge China to stop its land reclamation program, and engage in diplomatic initiatives to encourage all sides to restrain themselves in these sorts of activities," Pool said. In the past three months, China has used dredgers to construct an island about … [Read more...] about China building possible airfield in South China Sea: US
Beijing building radar in South China Sea: think tank
Beijing is installing radar facilities on its artificial islands in the disputed South China Sea, an American think tank has said, in a move analysts warned would "exponentially improve" the country's monitoring capacities. Satellite imagery of Cuarteron reef in the Spratlys released by the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) showed what appeared to be a high-frequency radar installation, as well as a lighthouse, underground bunker, helipad and other communications equipment. The photographs came only a week after US officials said China had deployed surface to air missiles in the Paracel islands further north, and with tensions mounting in the strategically vital region. "Placement of a high frequency radar on Cuarteron Reef would significantly bolster China's ability to monitor surface and air traffic coming north from the Malacca Straits and other strategically important channels," said CSIS's Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative. Images of other … [Read more...] about Beijing building radar in South China Sea: think tank
US ‘open to joint patrols in South China Sea with Philippines’
The United States will consider joint patrols with the Philippines in the South China Sea as part of efforts to ensure freedom of navigation in waters claimed by China, the US ambassador said Wednesday. Washington angered Beijing in recent months by sending US warships and warplanes on patrols near artificial islands built by Beijing to bolster its claim to most of the Sea. The Philippines, one of five claimants to parts of the waterway, has backed Washington's military actions and last month suggested joining US patrols. "The United States... will continue to enjoy our rights under international law to sail through international waters or fly through international airspace," ambassador Philip Goldberg told reporters. "So I'm not going to prejudge what we're going to do or when we're going to do it. Whether we're going to do it with the Philippines... I'm not discarding that possibility." Asked later if he thought the United States would say "yes" if the Philippines formally asked to … [Read more...] about US ‘open to joint patrols in South China Sea with Philippines’