Storm in the South China Sea: Beijing declares US bombers’ island flyover a ‘serious military provocation’
Beijing issues strong protest to Americans after two B-52s fly over area near man-made island
The Defence Ministry yesterday condemned the Unites States for committing a “serious military provocation” by flying strategic bombers over a Chinese artificial island in the South China Sea.
Foreign Minister spokesman Hong Lei (洪磊 ) urged the US to stop provocative actions following the flight of two B-52 bombers over the area near China-controlled islands in the disputed waters, saying: “China takes the incident seriously, and has lodged solemn representation with the United States.”
China’s campaign of island building in the South China Sea might soon quadruple the number of airstrips available to the People’s Liberation Army in the highly contested and strategically vital region. Photo: APIn a statement, the ministry confirmed the strategic bombers had entered the airspace near a man-made island on December 10, accusing the US of deliberately raising tensions in the disputed region.
Military personnel on the island went on high alert and warned the aircraft to leave, the ministry said.
The ministry said US has continuously sent military ships and planes to “make a show of force” and create tensions, which severely threatening the stability of the South China Sea.
It demanded Washington immediately take measures to prevent such incidents and damage to relations. The ministry also repeated previous assertions that it would take whatever necessary measures to protect China’s sovereignty and security.
The Wall Street Journal on Friday, citing senior US defence officials, said the flight had “unintentionally” flown over the man-made island.
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Xu Guangyu (徐光裕), a retired major general and now a senior army arms control adviser, said while the US had frequently used such “tricks” and repeatedly made similar “mistakes”, claiming the flight was “unintentional” also showed the Americans did not want to escalate tensions in the region.
“The Pentagon officials obviously want to make it clear that the US side is not willing to provoke … but such practices are setting a really bad example and could potentially lead to dangerous confrontation,” Xu said.
“The US needs to prove the flight is really unintentional and apologise.”
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Reuters reported on Tuesday that the US navy appeared to have scrapped a plan to carry out another patrol within 12 nautical miles of Chinese-built islands this year, as American officials had initially suggested.
The report cited an official saying the next US navy sail-by was likely taking place in January. It was not clear if the decision was made after the B-52 bombers flew into China’s airspace.
China’s latest protest also comes amid a simmering dispute over Washington’s approval of the first arms package offered to Taiwan in four years.
Beijing demanded the deal be scrapped to avoid harming relations across the Taiwan Strait and between China and the US.
On Wednesday, Beijing filed a formal diplomatic complaint and the Foreign Ministry said it would take “necessary measures, including the imposition of sanctions against companies participating in the arms sale to Taiwan”.
In late October, a US navy destroyer sailed within 12 nautical miles of another Chinese-built island in the Spratlys. Two American B-52s also flew close to the islands last month.
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