'Biggest destroyer of peace': China lashes out after US warship sails near South China Sea

China has deployed fighter jets and lashed out at US, calling it “biggest destroyer of peace” after a frontline American warship sailed past a reef in contested South China Sea. On Wednesday, 8 September 2021, US Navy’s Destroyer USS Benfold sailed past Mischief Reef, located close to Spratly Islands, irking Beijing which claims sovereignty over almost whole of South China Sea. tably, China is t only one claiming rights over parts of 3.5 million square kilometres wide sea, or players include Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei.

‘rmal inspection’  

In a statement, Lt Mark Langford, deputy public affairs officer of US 7th Fleet said, “On September 8, USS Benfold (DDG 65) asserted navigational rights and freedoms in Spratly Islands, consistent with international law. This FOP upheld rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of sea. USS Benfold demonstrated that Mischief Reef, a low-tide elevation in its natural state, is t entitled to a territorial sea under international law,”

Furrmore, he asserted that military ship was engd in ‘rmal operations’ within 12 nautical miles of Mischief Reef. “se missions are rule-of-law based and demonstrate our commitment to upholding rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of sea and air guaranteed to all nations,” he said adding that “ freedom of navigation operations” in South China Sea is a part of routine exercises of US Navy.

' prermission taken' 

However, Chinese Navy was quick to respond to sighting. In a statement, China’s People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) sourn atre command asserted that US operation was conducted sans permission. Anuncing that it will remain on high alert, PLA said that facts have repeatedly proved that US is an out-and-out “South China Sea security risk maker” and “biggest destroyer” of peace and stability in south China Sea.

Earlier, Indian Defence Ministry anunced that it will send a task force of four frigates on two months deployment in South China Sea. Amidst an increasing shift in balance of power in Indo-pacific region, India has anunced deployment of warships to mark its military presence in region. 

Im: USNavy/Twitter