US’ BOMBERS DIPLOMACY
ND 07/07/17
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US Bombers Buzz South China Sea as Trump and Xi Prepare For G20 Meeting https://sputniknews.com/asia/201707071055347451-south-china-sea-us-bombers/
As the
presidents of the US and China participate in the Group of 20 Summit in
Hamburg, the two nations continue to rattle their sabers in the disputed South
China Sea. The latest muscle-flexing came from the United States Air Force,
which flew a pair of B-1B Lancers over the contested waters Friday.
This is "the first time US Pacific
Command-directed B-1B Lancers have conducted combined training with JASDF
[Japanese Air Force] fighters at night," according to a
statement issued by the US Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs office. After
the bilateral exercises, "the B-1Bs proceeded to the South China Sea
before returning to Andersen Air Force Base."
The mission "demonstrates how the US will
continue to exercise the rights of freedom of navigation
anywhere international law allows," the US statement read. The United
States has formally remained neutral in the South China Sea dispute,
but the American leadership has protested Chinese activities such
as building artificial islands to house military facilities in the
economically-significant sea region. They have used naval power in the
past to enforce "freedom of navigation" through the
South China Sea.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman
Geng Shuang told Reuters that while the American bombers were not violating any
laws, it was distasteful to China that countries like the United
States would use "the banner of freedom of navigation and over flight
to flaunt military force and harm China's sovereignty and security."
Also speaking
to Reuters, China's Defense Ministry said that the Chinese military "effectively monitors relevant countries' military
activities next to China. The Chinese military will resolutely safeguard
national sovereignty and security as well as regional peace and
stability."
This is the latest in a
continued military build-up in the South China Sea foreshadowing next
week's Malabar trilateral naval exercises between India, Japan and the US.
China, which reads the exercises as a tacit threat against their
claims in the sea, has deployed a small fleet of 14 vessels
to patrol the waters in response to the upcoming exercises.
US President Donald Trump is
expected to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Hamburg
and discuss North Korea – specifically, that country's recent claim that they
have successfully tested an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) for the first time. Some experts believe that the alleged ICBM could reach American
territory such as Hawaii, Guam, Alaska and even Washington state.
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