By Wu Zhenglong

May 5, 2016

"In the past several months, the U.S. military has visibly ratcheted up its posture in the South China Sea. Last May, a U.S. P-8A Poseidon flew over China's islands in the South China Sea with a journalist onboard to conduct live reporting. It happened again in July, only this time it was the Commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, Admiral Scott Swift, onboard the aircraft and that single reconnaissance mission lasted seven hours. Three months later, guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen came very close to one of China's Nansha Islands. In December, two U.S. B-52 bombers flew close to China's Nansha Islands. This was followed by the entry of another guided-missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur into waters within 12 nautical miles of China's Zhongjian Island in the Xisha Islands in January. Last month, the John C. Stennis Strike Group sailed into the so-called disputed waters in the South China Sea. Now the US Defense Secretary Ash Carter confirmed recently that the US and the Philippines had already conducted joint patrols. Clearly, the United States is deliberately showing off its muscle to intimidate China in the South China Sea.

The United States claims that it does not take a position on sovereignty disputes regarding those islands in the South China Sea. Its military actions, however, prove otherwise. By using 'freedom of navigation' as a pretext, the U.S. has been directly challenging China's sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea and siding with the Philippines and other claimants against China. It has moved from behind the scenes to center stage and become deeply involved in these disputes."

Read more:
http://www.chinausfocus.com/peace-security/tensions-are-under-control-in-the-south-china-sea/

NISCSS does not necessarily share in or endorse the opinions of off-site commentators.