China has accused the US Navy's USS Benfold of entering Beijing's territory
without permission. China's accusations certainly make relations with the US
even more complicated and heated.
China even warned the US regarding serious consequences related to the USS
Benfold which illegally infiltrated China's territorial waters in Xisha
(Paracel Islands). China also said that what the US did with the USS Benfold
was a serious matter.
"The actions of the US side have seriously violated China's sovereignty and
security," said Senior Colonel Tian Junli, spokesman for the PLA Southern
Theater Command.
"The PLA Southern Theater organized the navy and air force to track and
monitor and warn them to leave," he added.
China also said that the latest events are another proof that (the United
States) is pursuing navigational hegemony and militarizing the South China
Sea.
It said this was the second time in six months the USS Benfold was accused
by China of illegally entering its territorial waters.
In a recent report, cited by state.gov, the US described the claims as
unlawful.
Knowing the allegations of territorial violations by the USS Benfold, the US
also gave a statement.
Quoted from rfa.org, the US said that what the USS Benfold was doing was
part of the freedom of navigation operation or FONOP. The United States also
called China's accusations of a US destroyer mission a mistake.
Even the US firmly stated that what the USS Benfold was doing was in
accordance with international law.
"USS Benfold conducted this FONOP in accordance with international law," he
explained, quoted from rfa.org, January 20, 2021.
The US also said that what it did with the USS Benfold was a form of legal
freedom of navigation.
"The operation reflects our commitment to upholding freedom of navigation
and the lawful use of the sea as principles."
"Nothing the PRC (People's Republic of China) says otherwise will deter us,"
he added.
It is said as reflected in the Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),
ships of all countries including warships enjoy the right of innocent
passage through the territorial sea.
"The unilateral imposition of any authorization or prior notification
requirement for a peaceful crossing is unlawful," he said.
Where shows that not only China but Taiwan and Vietnam also ask for
permission or advance notice before foreign military ships pass through
their territorial sea.
"The United States opposes unlawful restrictions imposed by the PRC, Taiwan
and Vietnam," the 7th Fleet statement said.
The crisis that the US and China are arguing about the USS Benfold and this
territorial violation has sparked comments from Australian Rear Admiral
(Ret.) James Goldrick.
"Many US FONOPs, including those in the South China Sea, are not tied to
whether a particular country claims a feature but to what rights the nation
thinks the feature comes from," he explained.
That's why US FONOP has "deliberately crossed the zone not only features
claimed by China, but also features of Vietnam, as well as the Philippines,"
Goldrick said.
