US and China Successive Military Demonstrations... The South China Sea Becomes the 'Core of Conflict'

US Reconnaissance Aircraft Monitor Chinese Mainland and Conduct Signals Intelligence
Chinese Navy Deploys New Destroyer to Taiwan Strait
Concerns Over Regional Security Threats Amid Continued Standoff

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin, Reporter Lee Hyun-woo] Following Hong Kong, the South China Sea is emerging as a core conflict zone between the United States and China. The US reconnaissance aircraft have been repeatedly conducting surveillance over mainland China, while the Chinese navy has rapidly deployed new destroyers to the Taiwan Strait for live-fire exercises, demonstrating military power between the two sides. The Chinese government also announced sanctions against certain US politicians. As the rift between the two countries deepens, concerns are growing that the intense standoff over the South China Sea will significantly destabilize regional security.

On the 13th (local time), US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s remarks on the South China Sea coincided with a statement from the Philippine government. The Philippine government issued a statement the previous day commemorating its 2016 victory at the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) over China in the South China Sea territorial dispute, stating that "China must comply with the PCA ruling." The US, in response, declared its intention to protect maritime sovereignty alongside Southeast Asian countries against China’s unilateral territorial claims.

The US offensive is not limited to statements. On the 14th, the Hong Kong South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that a US Air Force reconnaissance aircraft, the E-8C, flew close to within 110 km of Guangdong Province’s territorial baseline the previous day. The E-8C is known as a reconnaissance aircraft specialized in ground surveillance and ballistic missile tracking, and SCMP reported it flew a similar route on the 6th. On the 8th, the EP-3E reconnaissance aircraft, which is adept at detecting various electronic signals, also flew in the area. SCMP added that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army suspects the US is using Taiwan exercises as a pretext to conduct reconnaissance not only over the South China Sea but also mainland China.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

China’s response has also been formidable. It has showcased an unusually upgraded destroyer, demonstrating naval power. The Chinese People’s Liberation Army revealed training footage of the new destroyer, which is equipped with state-of-the-art radar capable of countering submarines as well as stealth fighters. The Chinese navy announced that this new destroyer has been rapidly deployed to the Taiwan Strait area. Alongside this, the next-generation stealth fighter J-20 was also unveiled.

China criticized the US for maliciously mobilizing Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines, to internationalize the South China Sea issue. In an editorial on the state-run Global Times, China stated, "The US’s slander that China’s South China Sea territorial claims lack international legal basis is itself baseless. The US is using countries near the South China Sea, such as the Philippines, to create problems and attack China." It urged, "South China Sea countries should recognize the US’s malicious intentions and resolve disputes through peaceful means."

The South China Sea territorial dispute began in 1953 when the Chinese government unilaterally declared the "Nine-Dash Line," claiming about 90% of the South China Sea as its territorial waters. In 2009, China requested UN approval for the Nine-Dash Line, which provoked opposition from Southeast Asian countries. Since then, China has increased its effective control by constructing artificial islands, military ports, and missile bases throughout the South China Sea. It has also demanded that US warships navigating the area obtain its approval. In response, the US has deployed carrier strike groups annually since 2015 under the banner of "freedom of navigation," conducting exercises to demonstrate military power against China.

This year, concerns are rising that the standoff will intensify further as the US and China clash over multiple issues, including the Hong Kong National Security Law and the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Previously, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs sanctioned four US politicians: Republican Senators Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz, Representative Chris Smith, and Sam Brownback, the US State Department’s Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom. Although the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not specify the sanctions, measures such as entry bans are expected. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying warned, "We urge the US to immediately revoke its wrong decisions and stop interfering in China’s internal affairs. China will take additional measures depending on the situation."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.