In a recent development, the Southern Theater Command of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) announced that it had monitored and warned of the USS Halsey, a US Navy Destroyer after the Navy Destroyer entered the territorial waters of the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea.
The PLA described the US action as a serious infringement on China’s sovereignty and security, accusing the US of asserting navigation hegemony and militarizing the region through Navy Destroyer.
China’s military closely monitored and “drove away” USS Halsey that entered the territorial waters of Paracel Islands in the South China Sea on May 10, the Southern Theater Command of the People’s Liberation Army said in a statement. The US move “seriously infringed on China’s sovereignty and security,” the military said.
The US Navy responded by stating that the USS Halsey was exercising navigational rights and freedoms following international law. The destroyer completed its operation near the Paracel Islands and continued on in the South China Sea.
This incident comes amid ongoing tensions between the US and China over the South China Sea, where Beijing’s expansive territorial claims clash with those of neighbouring countries and international law.
The naval confrontation occurred against the backdrop of heightened tensions in the South China Sea, with the Philippines engaged in a diplomatic dispute with China over disputed waters. China’s claims in the region overlap with those of the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. The Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 ruled against Beijing’s claims, but China has continued to assert its control over the area.
Squad Shield: US Prefers Philippines over India Amid Rising South China Sea Tensions
The incident with the USS Halsey followed its recent passage through the Taiwan Strait, a move that drew criticism from China. Chinese naval forces monitored the passage, with a naval colonel describing it as “public hype.” China considers Taiwan a part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to bring the island under its control.
The USS Halsey (DDG-97) is an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile navy destroyer in the U.S. Navy, named after Fleet Admiral William “Bull” Halsey Jr. This navy destroyer is equipped with advanced Aegis combat systems and is designed for multi-mission capabilities, including anti-air, anti-submarine, and anti-surface warfare. The ship plays a crucial role in maintaining maritime security and power projection for the United States Navy.
India Joins CMF
In a significant development, India joined the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), a US-led navy alliance comprising 43 partner nations. This collaboration, seen as a departure from India’s traditional policy of strategic autonomy, comes at a time when China’s maritime activities in the Indian Ocean region are increasing. India’s partnership with CMF could bolster its efforts to counter China’s assertiveness at sea, particularly in the context of joint operations against common threats like narcotics trafficking.
Unified Response: Joint Naval Drills in South China Sea
As tensions in the South China Sea continue to escalate, the actions and responses of key players like the US, China, and India will have significant implications for regional stability and security.
