China has accused the United States of conducting a “serious military provocation” by flying B-52 planes over Chinese man-made islands earlier this month in the South China Sea.
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“The actions by the U.S. side constitute a serious military provocation and are rendering more complex and even militarizing conditions in the South China Sea”, the Defense Ministry said in a statement on Saturday, according to the Associated Press.
At least one of the bombers on the mission flew within two miles of Cuarteron Reef, drawing warnings from Chinese military on the artificial island. The Spratlys may be up for debate in the global community but China says they have “indisputable” rights to the islands and plan to ensure the 12 nautical mile rules are followed. The U.S. then sent a B-52 bomber through the zone without contacting China.In Aug. 2014, a U.S. P-8 Poseidon Surveillance Plane was intercepted by Chinese fighters over the South China Sea. China is urging the U.S.to employ measures to prevent these sorts of incidents from happening again.
“We need to remind ourselves that [the] U.S. Navy… has been conducting freedom of navigation operations since Jimmy Carter was in office”, said Craig Allen, a professor of marine and environmental affairs at the University of Washington School of Law. It was not clear if the decision was made after the B-52 bombers flew into China’s airspace.
The Pentagon said it was looking to the criticism.
“But it’s not just a conflict over oil and natural gas, there is also a wider geopolitical conflict involved that’s more of a military nature”, he added.
Issuing a more diplomatic response, China’s Foreign Ministry on Saturday said the situation in the South China Sea was stable and that outside countries should avoid manufacturing tensions. Chinese officials warned the guided missile destroyer USS Lassen as it moved inside the zone around the Subi Reef.
Beijing filed a formal diplomatic complaint and its Foreign Ministry said it would take “necessary measures, including the imposition of sanctions against companies participating in the arms sale to Taiwan”.
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The main contractor behind the weaponry is Raytheon. China vehemently protested in October when a United States warship sailed through the waters near an artificial island being built by China disregarding protests from the Philippines and other mari time claimants.
