China angry about US Navy Commander's inspection flight to the East Sea

China on July 20 asked the US to stay out of the dispute in the East Sea, two days after a US naval commander flew an inspection flight in this sea area.

On July 18, Commander of the US Pacific Fleet, Admiral Scott Swift, flew on a P-8 Poseidon while visiting the Philippines, a close ally of the US. The Philippines is also involved in a dispute with China in the East Sea.

Admiral Scott Swift called the flight a “seven-hour maritime surveillance mission” over the South China Sea.

Commander of the US Pacific Fleet, Admiral Scott Swift on the P-8 Poseidon inspecting the East Sea (photo: US Navy photo)

In response to the above moves, China's Ministry of National Defense called on the US to "take further actions to promote peace and stability in the region, not the other way around."

“We hope the US will abide by its promise not to take sides on South China Sea issues,” the Global Times quoted the Chinese Ministry of National Defense as saying.

China unilaterally claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, overlapping with waters claimed by countries such as the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, and Vietnam.

So far, China has almost completed the construction of a 3,000-meter-long runway on one of the artificial islands it illegally built in the East Sea.

Washington has asked China to stop reclamation and militarization of disputed areas and pursue a peaceful solution in accordance with international law.

Beijing insists the outposts it is building will serve unspecified military purposes, as well as support search and rescue operations, disaster relief and maritime navigation.

“There are destabilizing forces in the region, and they are causing unpredictable things,” said Admiral Scott Swift.

According to AP, Philippine Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin welcomed Swift's move. Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said that Swift's participation in the patrol flight over the East Sea shows the US's commitment to its allies.

“Militarily, we have nothing to counter China,” Gazmin said. “That is why we are asking our allies for help.”

In an interview with reporters in Manila on June 15, Commander Swift stressed that the US military is ready to deal with any emergency situation in the East Sea.

Mr. Swift added that the United States does not take sides in territorial disputes in the East Sea, but the country will continue to step up activities to ensure freedom of navigation. However, the United States will not support measures to use force.

The Philippines has improved defense ties with the United States amid rising tensions in the South China Sea. Last week, Manila said it would reopen a U.S. naval base in Subic Bay, which was closed more than 20 years ago./.

According to VOV