Beijing vows to work with neighbours after US’ latest South China Sea transit
- Two aircraft carrier strike groups enter disputed waters, which Chinese foreign ministry says ‘is not conducive to regional peace and stability’
- US Navy says operation was ‘to show our partners and allies in the region that we are committed to promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific’
“The United States frequently sends ships and planes into the South China Sea to show off its force, which is not conducive to regional peace and stability,” Wang Wenbin, a spokesman for China’s foreign ministry, said in a regular press briefing.
“China will continue to take necessary measures to firmly safeguard national sovereignty and security, and work with countries in the region to firmly maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.”
Two US Navy aircraft carrier strike groups began operations in the disputed waters of the South China Sea on Tuesday, seven months after two aircraft carriers manoeuvred in the same region and prompted Beijing to send two missiles in an attacking test.
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The carriers USS Theodore Roosevelt and USS Nimitz and their accompanying guided-missile cruisers and destroyers were showing the US Navy’s ability to maintain peace and commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, the US Navy said in a statement.