Beijing demands end to ‘risky’ US operations in South China Sea after sub accident
- Defence ministry spokesman says freedom of navigation exercises are a threat to regional security and increase risks of collision
- China also wants more detail on US Navy’s ‘short and unclear’ statement on USS Connecticut incident
“This irresponsible and covert approach lacks transparency, and can easily lead to misunderstanding and misjudgment. China and the neighbouring countries in the South China Sea have to question the truth of the incident and the intentions of the United States,” he said on Tuesday.
According to the US Navy, the USS Connecticut – a Seawolf class SSN – collided with an unknown object in the South China Sea on October 2, injuring 11 sailors on board. The report said the submarine’s nuclear propulsion system was not affected and it was able to return to the Guam naval base for follow-up checks.
No further details were provided, including the extent of the damage, what kind of object the sub had collided with, or the specific location of the accident.
The US Navy report said an assessment and preliminary repairs to the damaged sub were under way and two investigations would also be undertaken. Chinese state media, think tanks and officials have questioned whether there was a nuclear leak.