Pentagon says Chinese missile launch in South China Sea affects 'peace and stability'

US Defence Department on August 27 reportedly said that Chinese test launches of ballistic missiles in South China Sea were affecting ‘peace and stability’ in region. Pentagon, while confirming reports that Beijing’s forces launched as many as four ballistic missiles during military exercise around Paracel islands, said that move called into question China’s 2002 commitment to avoiding proactive activities.

Pentagon reportedly said that China’s recent actions, including missile tests, furr destabilise situation in South China Sea. US officials ted that such exercises violate PRC (People’s Republic of China) commitments under 2002 Declaration on Conduct of Parties in South China Sea to avoid activities that would complicate or escalate disputes and affect peace and stability. 

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Pentagon furr said that China’s August 23-29 military exercises were latest in a long string of PRC actions to assert ‘unlawful maritime claims’ and ‘disvant’ its Souast Asian neighbours. officials also said that US h urged China in July to reduce its ‘militarisation and coercion’ in region. However, PRC chose to escalate its exercise activities by firing ballistic missiles, US said. 

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Escalating tensions between US-China 

According to reports, China fired four ballistic missiles into South China Sea during an anti-ship strike simulation. Beijing’s test launches come amid escalating tensions with US. simulation also coincided with US Defence Secretary Mark Esper’s speech at Daniel K Iuye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Hawaii, where he accused China of militarizing South China Sea. He reiterated US’ commitment to free and open Indo-Pacific, calling it an “epicentre of great power competition with China.”

Meanwhile, Beijing, on August 27, reportedly blasted Washington over its blacklisting of two dozens state-owned Chinese companies involved in building and supplying China’s South China Sea bases. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said that US’ words ‘grossly’ interfere in China’s internal affairs. He ded that it is wholly tyrannical logic and power politics. Lijian warned that China will take firm measures to uphold legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies and individuals. 

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