US, Japan, India and Philippines challenge Beijing in South China Sea with joint show of force

Naval exercises come amid tense trade negotiations between China and Washington

Jon Sharman
Thursday 09 May 2019 15:33 BST
Comments
Ships from four nations sailing together in the waters of the South China Sea
Ships from four nations sailing together in the waters of the South China Sea

A US warship joined vessels from Japan, India and the Philippines in a new show of force in the contested South China Sea.

The strategically important waterway is claimed almost in its entirety by China but this is hotly disputed by Beijing’s neighbours.

The US guided missile destroyer William P Lawrence conducted drills with the Japanese aircraft carrier Izumo, two Indian naval ships and a Philippine patrol vessel in the waterway claimed by China, the US Navy said on Thursday.

While similar exercises have been held in the area in the past, the combined display by four countries represented a fresh challenge to Beijing as Donald Trump threatened to hike tariffs on $200bn-worth (£154bn) of Chinese goods, amid talks aimed at ending the countries’ trade war.

“Professional engagements with our allies, partners and friends in the region are opportunities to build upon our existing, strong relationships,” Commander Andrew Klug, the captain of the Lawrence, said in a statement.

The Independent has contacted China’s foreign ministry for comment.

During the week of joint drills, which ended on Wednesday, two other US warships sailed near islands in the region claimed by China on Monday, prompting a protest from Beijing, which said the action infringed its sovereignty.

The US Navy claimed it conducted such freedom of navigation operations in international waters around the world, even in seas its allies say are theirs, without political considerations.

Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam all have competing claims to parts of the South China Sea. The US, Japan and India do not have any territorial claims there.

In a previous challenge to China in Asian waters, the Lawrence and another US destroyer sailed through the Taiwan Strait in April. The body of water separates Taiwan, which Beijing views as a rogue province, from the Chinese mainland.

Additional reporting by Reuters

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in