The United States Navy and Marine Corps are holding joint exercises in the South China Sea at a time of heightened tensions with Beijing over the shooting down of a suspected Chinese spy balloon.
BEIJING—
China claims virtually the entire South China Sea and strongly objects to military activity by other nations in the contested waterway through which $5 trillion in goods are shipped every year. The US military exercises were planned in advance. They come as already tense relations between Washington and Beijing have been exacerbated by a diplomatic row sparked by the balloon, which was shot down last weekend in US airspace off the coast of South Carolina.
After first issuing a highly rare expression of regret over the balloon, China has toughened its rhetoric, calling the US shootdown an overreaction and a violation of international norms. China’s defense minister refused to take a phone call from US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to discuss the matter.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
China says coast guard's actions were lawful in South China Sea rowChina’s foreign ministry, in response to questions regarding the Philippines accusing China of disrupting a resupply mission, said the coast guard conducted actions according to law.
Read more »
Philippines urges China to halt any 'provocative act' after laser aimed at vessel“I think it’s time for the Chinese government to restrain its forces so that it does not commit any provocative act that will endanger the lives of people.'
Read more »
US backs PH over China's 'provocative' action in disputed watersTHE United States (US) stands with the Philippines amid China's latest 'provocation' in the South China Sea.In a statement on Monday (Tuesday in Manila), the US State...
Read more »
China aims laser at Philippine Coast Guard ship in West PH SeaThe incident takes place in waters near Ayungin Shoal as the Philippine Coast Guard vessel was out supporting a Philippine resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre.
Read more »
‘Acts of aggression:’ Philippines protests China’s use of military laser in West PH SeaThe Philippines calls on China to 'cease and desist' from aggressive moves taken against Philippine vessels.
Read more »
Philippine Coast Guard accuses China of blocking resupply ship - BusinessWorld OnlineTHE PHILIPPINE Coast Guard on Monday accused China of trying to block a resupply ship at the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea, prompting lawmakers to seek more joint patrols with security allies to deter China’s militarization of the waterway. A China Coast Guard vessel had tried to blind the crew of BRP […]
Read more »