US Destroyers Sail in S China Sea as Trade Talks on Verge of Collapse
By Staff, Agencies
The South China Sea is one of a growing number of contentious issues in US-China relations, which have also been complicated by seemingly crumbling trade talks, US sanctions, and Taiwan's status.
Two US guided-missile destroyers Preble and Chung Hoon sailed near Gaven and Johnson Reefs in the Spratly Islands claimed by China in the South China Sea on Monday, Commander Clay Doss, a spokesman for the US Navy's Seventh Fleet, told Reuters.
The news outlet cited Doss as saying that the "innocent passage" within 12 nautical miles of the island was made "to challenge excessive maritime claims and preserve access to the waterways as governed by international law".
China has yet to comment on the ships' reported passage, as it regularly warns the US against sending vessels and military aircraft close to the islands and reefs claimed by Beijing, and demands that Washington "stop actions that undermine China's sovereignty and security interests".
The development comes amid reports by the South China Morning Post that Chinese Vice Premier Liu He will proceed with his trip to the United States this week for trade talks but is expected to shorten his Washington visit. Liu is reportedly set to leave Beijing on Thursday — three days later than scheduled — and leave DC a day later.
The news followed media speculation that he might call off this week's trade talks in light of comments by President Donald Trump that he would increase tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods from 10 percent to 25 percent starting Friday, as well as slap other Chinese products worth $325 billion with 25 percent tariffs.
The issue of the US military presence in the South China Sea region has long been one of the major flashpoints in US-China relations, along with the ongoing trade dispute, which has seen the two countries exchange several rounds of steep tariffs.
China, which is currently in control of the vast majority of islands, reefs and shoals in the area that are also claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Taiwan, has repeatedly accused the US of provocations in the South China Sea, while Washington has claimed that it is conducting freedom of navigation operations.
American officials have expressed dismay at China's construction of industrial outposts and military facilities on artificial islands in the South China Sea, while Beijing has consistently stressed that it has the sovereign right to send troops to any part of its territory.
