US declares no change in freedom of navigation policy

The commander of the Pacific Fleet announced that there will be no change in the US Navy's freedom of navigation policy under President Donald Trump.

Admiral Scott Swift, Commander of the US Pacific Fleet. Photo: Reuters.

"There has been no significant change in the last two or three months," Reuters quoted Admiral Scott Swift, commander of the US Pacific Fleet, speaking to reporters in Singapore today, referring to freedom of navigation operations. "We only present opportunities when there are ships deployed in the area and there is interest... The opportunity will either be taken or not."

The US Navy under Barack Obama conducted several freedom of navigation patrols in the South China Sea, which China claims almost entirely. No freedom of navigation operations have taken place under President Donald Trump.

Mr. Swift said the US still maintains the importance of the East Sea issue.

The New York Times reported last week that the Pentagon rejected a request in March for the U.S. Pacific Command to sail near Scarborough Shoal, a fishing ground controlled by China since 2012. The Pentagon also rejected two other Navy requests in February.

The move has led to speculation that the US wants to avoid offending China while waiting to see what Beijing can do to pressure Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear and missile programs.

The US has criticised China for illegally building and militarising artificial islands in the South China Sea, expressing concern that they could impede freedom of navigation. Admiral Harry Harris, commander of the US Pacific Command, said last month that the US would soon resume freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea, but declined to elaborate.

According to VNE