Chinese Bombers Simulated an Attack on a US Navy Aircraft Carrier in the South China Sea
by SOFREP News
The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group (CSG) steams in formation while transiting the Pacific U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Anthony River
Tracking data indicates that the U.S. carrier strike group entered the South China Sea by way of the Bashi Channel as the Chinese fighters flew through Taiwan’s air defense identification zone.
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Tracking data indicates that the U.S. carrier strike group entered the South China Sea by way of the Bashi Channel as the Chinese fighters flew through Taiwan’s air defense identification zone.
U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) spokesperson Capt. Mike Kafka told Insider in an emailed statement that, “the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group closely monitored all People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) and Air Force (PLAAF) activity, and at no time did they pose a threat to U.S. Navy ships, aircraft, or Sailors.”
A defense official said that the Chinese aircraft did not come within 250 miles of the U.S. Navy vessels, putting them outside the estimated range of the YJ-12 anti-ship cruise missiles carried by the H-6K. There was a simulated attack run though, the official said.
Kafka said in the INDOPACOM statement, “the PLA activities highlighted here, are the latest in a string of aggressive and destabilizing actions.”
He further said that, “these actions reflect a continued PLA attempt to use its military as a tool to intimidate or coerce those operating in international waters and airspace, to include their neighbors and those with competing territorial claims,” adding that the “United States will continue to fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows, demonstrating resolve through our operational presence throughout the region.”
The U.S. Navy said in a statement last Sunday that the Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group is on a routine deployment to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility to conduct maritime security operations.
China objects to the regular presence of the U.S. military in the South China Sea, even though it has operated in the area for decades.
The latest developments in the South China Sea highlight the challenges the new Biden administration will face as it deals with Beijing and China’s growing military power.
The new administration and China have already traded jabs over Taiwan. During Monday’s press briefing, Zhao told the U.S. to “refrain from sending any wrong signals to the ‘Taiwan independence’ forces so as to avoid damaging China-US relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait” after the U.S. State Department had criticized China’s efforts to militarily, economically, and diplomatically pressure Taiwan.
Chinese Ministry of Defense spokesman Wu Qian said on Thursday that Chinese military activities near Taiwan are necessary and warned that it would mean war if Taiwan pursued independence from China.
Speaking at the first Department of Defense press briefing of the Biden administration, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby reaffirmed U.S. support for Taiwan’s defense but said that tensions “need not lead to anything like confrontation.”
This article was written by Ryan Pickrell and originally published on Business Insider.
SOFREP News stories come from our news desk which is tasked with promoting a wide array of news stories and reports from select syndicated publications. These articles are not written by SOFREP or SOFREP staff members and do not represent the views of SOFREP or our editorial team.
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