US Admiral Explains Suspension of East Sea Patrols

Admiral Scott Swift, Commander of the US Pacific Fleet, explained that the decision to suspend "freedom of navigation" patrols in the East Sea does not mean a change in US policy in this sea area.

Under President Barack Obama, the US Navy regularly patrolled the South China Sea. But since Donald Trump entered the White House, no such operations have been carried out.

Admiral Scott Swift in front of a large poster of an Australian destroyer as he speaks at a press conference in Sydney in 2016. (Photo: Reuters)

Last week, the New York Times reported that in March, the US Pacific Command had requested patrols near Scarborough Shoal but was rejected by senior Pentagon officials. Two similar requests by the US Navy in February were also rejected.

Some see this as a sign that the US wants to avoid antagonizing China, while waiting to see how far Beijing will go in pressing North Korea to abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

Speaking at a press conference in Singapore on May 8, Admiral Swift said: "We have just gone through a political transition. I am not surprised that this process continues in a dialogue, as the new administration settles in and decides where it is appropriate to take advantage of opportunities. We only present opportunities when we have a ship in the area and there is an area of ​​interest."

The US commander asserted that "there has been no change in the importance the US places on the East Sea issue".

Asked about China's recent launch of its homegrown aircraft carrier, Admiral Swift said: "If you have a global economy, I think you need a global navy to protect that economy. If they think they need aircraft carriers to support their maritime strategy, I'm not interested in it."

China claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, through which about $5 trillion worth of global trade passes each year. The United States has strongly criticized Beijing’s construction of artificial islands and military facilities in the sea, expressing concern they could be used to restrict free movement.

In late April, Admiral Harry Harris, the top US commander in the Asia-Pacific region, said that the US may soon conduct freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea. However, he did not provide details.

According to VNN