US Navy ships increase stay in East Sea, challenging Beijing

(Baonghean.vn)- On June 15, Commander of the US Pacific Fleet, Admiral Scott Swift, said that the US naval ships will increase the time they stay in the East Sea this year.

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

Swift made the announcement in Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province, China, where the guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett recently visited. This is the first US warship to visit China since President Donald Trump took office earlier this year.

Speaking to reporters, Admiral Swift said the number of days US ships will stay in the East Sea will total 900 days this year, up from the average of about 700 days/year. This marks an increase in the number of aircraft carrier groups temporarily operating in the Pacific.

"We have increased the number of strike groups operating in the Pacific, which has led to an increase in the number of days that ships operate in the region this year. That number will likely be lower next year," Mr. Swift emphasized.

Previously, Mr. Swift and other US officials said there was no change to US Navy freedom of navigation operations under President Trump.

Last May, a US warship conducted a “fall-overboard rescue exercise” while entering the 12-nautical mile area around Vành Khăn Reef in Vietnam’s Trường Sa archipelago.

This move is considered the strongest US challenge to Beijing's sovereignty claims in the strategic sea since President Trump took office./.

Lan Ha

(According to Reuters)