By Hai Boping

May 13, 2016

"Since last year, the US has dispatched military aircraft and vessels into the airspace and seas surrounding Chinese islands and reefs in the South China Sea to conduct so-called 'freedom of navigation' (FON) operations. The operations are out of triple political considerations targeting China, China's neighbors and US itself.

First, the operations are a declaration of a tough stance. 'Freedom of navigation' has been an excuse used by the US for taking action against countries with 'excessive maritime claims'. It originated from the FON program introduced by the Carter Administration in 1979. The program was designed to maintain the 'maritime freedom' of the US and prevent coastal states from challenging America's position as a maritime power with their excessive claims, thus ensuring global mobility of its military forces."

Read more:
http://www.chinausfocus.com/peace-security/political-considerations-shape-u-s-freedom-of-navigation-operations-in-south-china-sea/

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