China-US tension on the high seas

Beijing: “illegal naval activity”

BEIJING – The Chinese foreign minister has asked the US to stop any “illegal naval activity” by condemning the incident of the US naval survey that Beijing said was in Chinese and non-international waters, as claimed by the Pentagon. According to the Foreign Minister, the US ship has violated international and Chinese law.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said the US report is “absolutely inaccurate”. According to the Washington version, however, five boats surrounded the ‘USNS Impeccable’, a civilian crew engaged in oceanographic research, “carrying out intimidation maneuvers” 120 kilometers from the island of Hainan.

Tension reached its maximum level when the crew launched pressure water jets to Chinese ships. The ships “took to the close proximity, 15 meters, of the USNS, a reckless and dangerous maneuver that violates international laws,” the Pentagon spokesman, Bryan Whitman, denounced yesterday.

Beijing’s reply, according to which the US ship has “broken international law and Chinese legislation and regulations” by return mail. “China has made a solemn appeal to the United States with a request to immediately cease these activities.”

March 10 2009