Qingdao, China : A US Navy guided missile destroyer arrived in the northern Chinese port of Qingdao on Monday in the first visit by an American warship to the country since Beijing responded angrily to an arbitration panel's ruling that its expansive South China Sea maritime claims had no basis in law.
Arriving in the home port of China's northern fleet, the USS Benfold held a signals exercise with the Chinese Navy. Speaking briefly to media, Cmdr. Just L Harts said the visit aimed to "build relationships" with counterparts from the Chinese Navy, but referred questions on tensions in the South China Sea to Pacific Command in Hawaii.
Admiral Scott Swift, the top US naval officer in Asia, plans to meet the media on Tuesday in Qingdao.
China rejected last month's ruling by the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration in a case initiated by the Philippines, and refused to take part in the arbitration. It has strongly criticized the US for encouraging its treaty partner in taking legal action and calling for Beijing to respect the ruling.
Last week, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the US, Japan and Australia were "fanning the flames" of regional tensions after they released a joint statement urging China not to construct military outposts or reclaim land in the disputed waters.
Since the ruling, China has repeatedly reasserted its historical claim to the virtually the entire strategically vital water body, its islands, reefs, plentiful fish stocks and other resources. It's also begun flying air patrols, with one announced on Saturday featuring bomber and fighter aircraft, in the airspace around the Spratly Islands, Scarborough Shoal and adjacent areas.
Five other governments also hold territorial claims in the South China Sea.
Arriving in the home port of China's northern fleet, the USS Benfold held a signals exercise with the Chinese Navy. Speaking briefly to media, Cmdr. Just L Harts said the visit aimed to "build relationships" with counterparts from the Chinese Navy, but referred questions on tensions in the South China Sea to Pacific Command in Hawaii.
China rejected last month's ruling by the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration in a case initiated by the Philippines, and refused to take part in the arbitration. It has strongly criticized the US for encouraging its treaty partner in taking legal action and calling for Beijing to respect the ruling.
Advertisement
Since the ruling, China has repeatedly reasserted its historical claim to the virtually the entire strategically vital water body, its islands, reefs, plentiful fish stocks and other resources. It's also begun flying air patrols, with one announced on Saturday featuring bomber and fighter aircraft, in the airspace around the Spratly Islands, Scarborough Shoal and adjacent areas.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
US, China Resume Nuclear Talks After 5 Years Amid Taiwan Conflict US Lawmaker Pledges Support For Taiwan Against Chinese Aggression Biden Imposes Heavy Import Tariffs On Chinese Imports Life On Earth Originates From One Ancestor, Older Than Previously Believed Villagers Try To Drive Away Elephant With Spiked Rods, Fireballs. It Dies Siddaramaiah's Swipe At Governor Amid Calls For Resignation: 10 Points Bengal Health Department Cancels Transfer Order Of 42 Doctors Amid Protests "Illusion": Hamas Official Dismisses US Optimism Over Gaza Ceasefire Talks 2 Killed In West Bank Strike, Israel Says It Targeted "Terrorist Cell'' Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.