China has expressed concern over reports that the United States is preparing to send warships through waters it claims in the South China Sea, raising the prospect of a direct confrontation between the two powers.
American navy vessels are expected to sail within 12 nautical miles of the disputed Spratly islands, which China claims as its own territory, according to the Financial Times. The manoeuvres are anticipated to begin within the next two weeks.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying urged the US to take an objective view of the situation and play a constructive role in maintaining regional peace. “I believe the US side is extremely clear about China’s relevant principled stance,” she added.
The planned operations follow a state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Washington last month, during which the two sides failed to resolve their differences over the South China Sea. Experts say US-China relations are at their lowest point in years, with tensions over cyberespionage, currency manipulation and human rights.
Pentagon officials have long pushed for a more robust response to China’s island-building and military buildup in the region. Defence Secretary Ashton Carter warned in May that China’s actions risked “miscalculation or conflict”, drawing a sharp rebuke from Beijing.
President Barack Obama said after his summit with Xi that the US would continue to operate “anywhere that international law allows”. Xi reiterated that the islands “since ancient times are China’s territory”. Analysts suggest the US is losing patience with China’s assertive stance, and that sending warships so soon after the summit signals how poorly the talks went.
