China calls for US to offer particulars, location the place American N-Sub was killed in SCS; ‘Freedom of navigation’ blames operations

The USS Connecticut collided with an underwater object within the South China Sea (SCS) on Saturday. 11 sailors aboard the submarine had been injured within the accident. An announcement issued by the US Pacific Fleet on Thursday mentioned not one of the accidents had been life-threatening.

It isn’t clear what would have struck the Seawolf-class submarine whereas submerged.

“The submarine is in safe and stable condition. The nuclear propulsion plant and location of USS Connecticut were not affected and are fully operational,” the US Navy assertion mentioned.

Asked for his response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian informed a media briefing right here that “China is seriously concerned about the incident.”

“As the party involved, the US must explain in specific details what happened, including the exact location of the incident, the navigation intent of the US side, details of the incident, the object the submarine collided with, whether the collision caused a nuclear leak or not.” . broken the native marine setting, and many others.,” Zhao mentioned.

He alleged that the US has been creating bother within the South China Sea within the identify of “freedom of navigation” for a very long time, posing a critical risk and nice danger to regional peace and stability. He mentioned, ‘This is the basis reason for this incident.

The US has been periodically sending its naval and air patrols by way of the South China Sea, difficult China’s claims of sovereignty over the area and in addition emphasizing freedom of navigation.

Zhao mentioned the US intentionally hid the specifics of the incident. It lacks transparency and accountability, he mentioned.

“China and other countries around the South China Sea can’t help but ask what really happened and what America’s intentions are,” he mentioned.

The spokesperson additionally used the event to criticize the AUKUS safety alliance introduced by the US, UK and Australia.

The tripartite alliance – extensively seen as an try and counter China’s affect within the disputed South China Sea – was introduced final month by US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison. Was.

Zhao identified that the US and Britain have lately determined to have nuclear submarine cooperation with Australia, a non-nuclear weapons state, and proliferation of nuclear submarines within the Asia-Pacific.

“This nuclear proliferation is sure to create dangers, gas an arms race, and undermine efforts to determine a Southeast Asia nuclear free zone. The probability of a nuclear incident may also enhance dramatically.

“The United States must abandon the obsolete Cold War zero-even mentality and narrow geopolitical perceptions and stop misogynistic practices that undermine regional peace, stability and development,” a Chinese international ministry spokesman mentioned.

China claims a lot of the SCS. The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have contested the area. Over the years, China has constructed a number of navy installations within the reclaimed islands within the SCS and has deployed a big fleet of its naval ships and submarines.

At the briefing, China additionally requested the US to sever protection and official ties with Taiwan, whereas reacting to stories that US troops had been coaching Taiwanese troops.

He additionally referred to as on the US to sever navy and official ties with Taiwan, whereas reacting to stories {that a} small variety of US particular operations forces had been stationed in Taiwan on a rotational foundation to coach Taiwanese forces. .

The report quoted Pentagon spokesman John Supple as saying that US assist for protection ties with Taiwan “goes against the current threat posed by the People’s Republic of China.”

China treats Taiwan as a separate province. However, democratic Taiwan views itself as a sovereign state. Beijing has not dominated out the potential of utilizing power to attain reunification with Taiwan.
Zhao mentioned the One China doctrine, which insists that Taiwan is a part of China, is the political underpinning of Sino-US relations.

“The US should break diplomatic ties with Taiwan and abrogate its mutual defense treaty with Taiwan and withdraw from the island”, he mentioned.

The US should totally acknowledge the “highly sensitive nature” of points referring to Taiwan and the “severely harmful nature” of related points, adhere to the One-China Doctrine and the Three Sino-US Joint Communities, and arms gross sales must be stopped. Sino-US relations within the Taiwan Strait and relations with Taiwan to keep away from severely harming peace and stability.

“China will take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Zhao mentioned.
He mentioned the US should persist with its commitments to take care of cultural, business and different casual ties with the individuals of Taiwan.

Tensions between China and Taiwan escalated when the Chinese navy flew a report 150 Air Force jets over Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone throughout a week-long vacation to have a good time China’s National Day on October 1.

The Taiwan situation got here up in Zurich on Wednesday throughout talks between prime Chinese diplomat Yang Jiechi and US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, throughout which the 2 sides agreed to enhance strained ties.

The depth of China’s air strikes prompted US President Joe Biden to remind his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping that they’d agreed to abide by the “Taiwan Agreement” throughout their phone talks final month.

“I’ve spoken with Xi about Taiwan. We agree… We will abide by the Taiwan Agreement. We made it clear that I do not suppose he ought to do something aside from abide by the settlement,” Biden had beforehand mentioned.