The amphibious assault ship USS America and the guided missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill have been deployed and are operating in the South China Sea, US Navy Indo-Pacific Command spokeswoman Nicole Schwegman said today.
Three anonymous security sources revealed that the US warship appeared near the Chinese Ocean 8 geological survey ship following the West Capella drilling ship operated by Malaysian oil and gas company Petronas in waters near Malaysia.
“Through our continued presence in the South China Sea, we are seeking to promote freedom of navigation and overflight, as well as the international principles that underpin security and prosperity in the Indian region
USS America moved in the East Sea on April 18.
Rear Admiral Fred Kacher, commander of the USS America Expeditionary Strike Group, said the force under his command encountered the Chinese navy this week.
China and Malaysia have not commented on this information.
Reuters on April 17 cited three sources as saying that the Haiyang Dizhi 8 Geological Ship escorted by many ships followed the West Capella drilling ship operating in the East Sea.
Washington accuses Beijing of taking advantage of the Covid-19 situation in the region to promote its presence in the East Sea.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian previously said that the Haiyang Dizhi 8 geological ship was carrying out `normal activities` and said that US officials were `smearing Beijing` with the East Sea issue.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang said yesterday that Vietnam is concerned and closely monitoring the situation, recommending that relevant parties are responsible for complying with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
`Vietnam sincerely wants the legitimate and legitimate rights and interests of countries in accordance with UNCLOS to be respected,` Ms. Hang answered a question about recent information related to the complicated situation in the sea
The Hai Duong 8 Geological Ship and Chinese escort ships violated Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf in the south of the East Sea in early July 2019, then left at the end of October 2019.
Vietnam has repeatedly protested the activities of the above-mentioned group of Chinese ships, affirming that the area in the south of the East Sea is not a disputed area.
Olivia