Beijing vows to increase South China Sea presence after USN’s latest FONOP

In a demonstration of the capabilities of its recently constructed airstrip on Fiery Cross Reef, China flew in two airliners, a China Southern Airlines A319 and a Hainan Airlines Boeing 737, from Haikou Meilan Airport in the country’s southernmost province of Hainan, in January 2016. Source: Xinhua News Agency

Key Points

• China has pointed to the USN’s latest FONOP in justifying more patrols and the building of defensive structures in South China Sea
• Statement may be a harbinger of heighted activities in and around the chains of artificial islands in the disputed region

Citing a statement from China’s Ministry of National Defense, the website of state-owned newspaper China Daily reported on 11 May that the People’s Liberation Army will be increasing maritime and air patrols in the South China Sea in response to the US Navy’s (USN’s) latest freedom-of-navigation operation (FONOP).

China will also be constructing “various defence capabilities” in these areas, said the ministry without giving specific details, adding only that the USN’s FONOPs have justified the establishment these installations on its chain of artificial islands.

The USN deployed an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, USS William P Lawrence (DDG 110), within 12 n miles of the Chinese-controlled Fiery Cross Reef on 10 May.

“This operation challenged attempts by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam to restrict navigation rights around the features they claim, specifically that these three claimants purport to require prior permission or notification of transits through the territorial sea, contrary to international law,” said Commander Bill Urban, US Department of Defense spokesperson, in an emailed statement to IHS Jane’s .

This is the third FONOP conducted by the USN since October 2015 when USSLassen , another Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, sailed within 12 n miles of Subi Reef. This was followed by a second FONOP in January 2016 by USSCurtis Wilbur , also an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, which sailed within 12 n miles of Triton Island in the Paracels.

“I must say that what the US warship has done threatened China’s sovereignty and security interests, endangered safety of personnel and facilities on the reef, and jeopardised regional peace and stability,” said China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Lu Kang, in a statement on the latest FONOP on 10 May.
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