A US navy ship recently passed by the Paracel Islands, resulting in condemnation from China, which is seeking control of the area. A U.S. Navy Commander claimed that the ship complied with international law while traveling through the South China Sea. The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Southern Theatre Command stated that its naval and air forces tracked, monitored, and warned away the destroyer. Tensions in the region have continued to simmer with incidents and allegations from multiple nations coveting control of the South China Sea.
The Chinese Communist Party has come under fire for its aggressive campaign to expand its reach throughout the Indo-Pacific. The military operations China has conducted near the disputed Paracel Islands result from its attempts to assert its historical claim over most of the South China Sea. These claims have been disputed by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which declared in 2016 that China’s claim over the South China Sea has no legal basis. It also reiterated this stance in an ongoing dispute in the region.
In a press statement from the Indo-Pacific Command, the USS Hopper asserted navigational rights under international law near the Paracel Islands, as permitted under international law. The U.S. 7th Fleet also referenced the need to challenge “unlawful and sweeping maritime claims” that extend to everyone while preserving international naval rights.
The US and other nations are pressuring the Chinese Communist Party to comply with international law and work with regional partners to address the rights in the disputed region. Despite these calls, China has continued militarizing outposts and expanding its presence in the disputed waters. The United States remains committed to preserving the right of all nations to operate in international waters and adhere to proper military behavior.