Update | China defends dispatch of spy ship to monitor US-led naval drills off Hawaii
Beijing sent surveillance vessel despite PLA Navy's participation in Rimpac exercises
Beijing has defended its dispatch of a spy ship to international waters off Hawaii, near where Chinese vessels are taking part in a US-led naval exercise for the first time, reports said on Monday.
The defence ministry said the vessel’s activities are in line with international law, reported state-run Global Times.
Reports in the US quoted the US Navy saying that a Chinese surveillance vessel had been found operating near the location of the Rim of the Pacific (Rimpac) naval exercises, viewed by analysts as one step toward potentially repairing ties at a time of heightened US-China tensions.
“The People’s Liberation Army naval ships’ operation in waters outside the territorial seas of other countries is in line with international law and international practice,” the defence ministry said.
“The Chinese side respect the rights of maritime countries in accordance with international laws, but also wishes relevant countries could respect the rights Chinese ships are entitled to enjoy by law,” it added.
The US Navy played down any intelligence risk associated with the proximity of the Chinese surveillance vessel and noted that China also sent a similar ship to monitor the last Rim of the Pacific (Rimpac) exercise two years ago.
“We’ve taken all necessary precautions to protect our critical information,” said Captain Darryn James, chief spokesman of the US Pacific Fleet.