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South China Sea
ChinaDiplomacy

US military operations in South China Sea increase risk of confrontation, think tank says

  • American forces conducted eight freedom of navigation operations in disputed waters in 2019, three more than in the previous year
  • Beijing says its air force and navy held a joint exercise in the South China Sea on March 10 to simulate face-to-face encounters with invading aircraft and warships

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The USS John C. Stennis is one of three US aircraft carriers that sailed through the South China Sea last year. Photo: MCSA Justin Rayburn/Navy
Laura Zhou
The United States intensified its military activity in the South China Sea last year, raising the risk of a confrontation with China in the strategically important waters, according to a Beijing-based think tank.

The US conducted eight so-called freedom of navigation operations in the year – three more than in 2018 – during which its vessels sailed within 12 nautical miles of land claimed or occupied by China, according to the South China Sea Strategic Situation Probing Initiative’s annual report.

American forces also engaged in at least 50 joint and multiple exercises with countries from Southeast Asia and elsewhere in the region, it said.

At least three US amphibious assault ships and two coastguard vessels took part in the military exercises, while eight surveillance ships carried out long-duration missions, it said.

The report, which tracks US military activity in the South China Sea, came as tensions continue to rise between Beijing and Washington over issues from trade to technology and, most recently, the Covid-19 pandemic.

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