Advertisement
US, Chinese militaries’ South China Sea posturing continues into Joe Biden era
- Both countries send warplanes to area south of Taiwan, and Chinese military announces drill coinciding with US aircraft carrier group’s arrival
- Risk of accidental clashes, observers say, with neither side seeming willing to soften its stance on the disputed waters
Reading Time:3 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
99+
Warplanes from the United States and China flew in proximity on Tuesday and a Chinese military drill was announced as an American aircraft carrier group entered the contested South China Sea, suggesting the military rivalry of the Donald Trump presidency would continue into Joe Biden’s tenure.
A US Navy EP-3E and a Chinese Y-8G, both electronic intelligence aircraft, flew in direct parallel near southern Taiwan on Tuesday, according to aviation tracker Aircraft Spots.
Also on Tuesday, China’s maritime authority announced that a military exercise would take place in waters west of Leizhou Peninsula in the southern province of Guangdong from Wednesday until Saturday.
Advertisement
China did not provide details of the exercise, but the announcement came as the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier sailed close to Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea.
06:24
Explained: the history of China’s territorial disputes
Explained: the history of China’s territorial disputes
A Chinese military insider — who requested anonymity because the person was not allowed to speak to the media without consent – said China had closely monitored the activities of the Roosevelt aircraft carrier group and countered on the day the group entered the sea.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Select Voice
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2x faster
1.25x
250 WPM
Slow
Average
Fast
1.25x