TAIPEI (Reuters) – A US aircraft carrier group led by USS Theodore Roosevelt has entered the South China Sea to promote “freedom of the sea”, the US military said on Sunday at a time when tensions between China and Taiwan come away. in Washington.
The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said in a statement that the strike group had entered the South China Sea the same day that Taiwan reported a major invasion by Chinese bombers and fighter jets in its air defense zone near the Pratas Islands.
The U.S. military says the airline group is in the South China Sea, much of which China claims to carry out routine operations “to ensure the freedom of the sea, to build partnerships that ensure the safety of promote the sea “.
“Having sailed through these waters during my thirty-year career, it’s wonderful to be in the South China Sea again, to carry out routine operations, to promote the freedom of the sea, and to reassure allies and partners. . ” Agteradm. Doug Verissimo, commander of the strike group, was quoted as saying.
“With two-thirds of world trade traveling through this very important region, it is vital that we maintain our presence and promote the rules-based order that enables us all to prosper,” Verissimo said in the statement.
The announcement comes days after Joe Biden was sworn in as US president.
Antony Blinken, nominated candidate for foreign minister, said at his confirmation hearing in the Senate on Tuesday that there was “no doubt” that China was the most important challenge for the United States of any country.
China has repeatedly complained about U.S. naval ships coming close to the Chinese-occupied islands in the South China Sea, where Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei and Taiwan all have competitive claims.
Theodore Roosevelt is accompanied by the Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill, and the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers USS Russell and USS John Finn, according to the US statement.
(Reported by Ben Blanchard; edited by Tom Hogue)