South China Sea Forum
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dichoi
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Return of the FONOP: US Navy Destroyer Asserts Freedom of Navigation in Paracel Islands
On Saturday, the USS Curtis Wilbur sailed within 12 nautical miles of a disputed island in the Paracel Islands.
By Ankit Panda
January 31, 2016
.
mage Credit: Flickr/ U.S.Navy
On Saturday, a U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer, the USS Curtis Wilbur, sailed within 12 nautical miles of Triton Island in the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea. Triton Island is claimed by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam, and is administered by China. TheCurtis Wilbur‘s passage near Triton Island marks the first freedom of navigation patrol in the South China Sea since the U.S. Navy sailed the USS Lassen within 12 nautical miles of Subi Reef in the Spratly Islands, marking 95 days between the two operations. Triton Island is not among the features where China has built artificial islands and constructed military and civilian features.
According to Captain Jeff Davis, a spokesperson for the Pentagon, no Chinese People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLAN) vessels attempted to inhibit the Curtis Wilbur‘s passage unlike during the October freedom of navigation patrol in the Spratlys, when PLAN vessels escorted the Lassen out of the 12 nautical mile zone around Subi Reef. “This operation challenged attempts by the three claimants — China, Taiwan and Vietnam — to restrict navigation rights and freedoms,” Davis added.
Davis clarified that the latest freedom of navigation patrol was an “innocent passage,” intended to challenge policies by both China and Vietnam that require vessels transiting the 12 nautical mile territorial waters of features in the Paracels to first notify maritime authorities. The United States rejects prior notification and sees these waters as open for lawful navigation compliant with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea (UNCLOS). “No claimants were notified prior to the transit, which is consistent with our normal process and international law,” Davis added.
The Chinese foreign ministry protested the freedom of navigation patrol. “The American warship has violated relevant Chinese laws by entering Chinese territorial waters without prior permission, and the Chinese side has taken relevant measures including monitoring and admonishments,” it said in a statement. “We urge the US side to respect [and] abide by relevant Chinese laws, to do more things conducive to Sino-US mutual trust and regional peace and stability,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying added in the statement.
Notably, the statement asserts that the Curtis Wilbur entered “Chinese territorial waters.” In October, after theLassen‘s freedom of navigation operation, the Chinese foreign ministry preserved a degree of ambiguity about its maritime claims in the Spratlys by noting that the Lassen‘s passage “threatened China’s sovereignty and security interests.” China has described its claims in the Spratlys as a “military alert zone” at times–a designation that has no particular meaning in international law.
Saturday’s freedom of navigation operation comes shortly after the heads of both the Chinese and U.S. navies consulted about unplanned encounters at sea between the two sides. Additionally, speaking last week, the commander of U.S. military forces in the Asia-Pacific, Admiral Harry Harris, said that U.S. freedom of navigation patrols would intensify and grow more complex this year. Saturday’s freedom of navigation operation remains consistent with the precedent set in October in that it challenges excessive claims by multiple claimants. October’s freedom of navigation drew attention for challenging Chinese claims near Subi Reef, where China has built an artificial island with military applications, but it also involved the Lassen transiting within 12 nautical miles of Northeast Cay, Southwest Cay, South Reef, and Sandy Cay.
Update: U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter’s office released this complete statement on Saturday’s freedom of navigation operation:
I can confirm the Department of Defense conducted a freedom of navigation operation in the South China Sea on Jan 30 (Jan 29 EST), specifically in the vicinity of Triton Island in the Paracel Islands, to challenge excessive maritime claims of parties that claim the Paracel Islands.
This operation challenged attempts by the three claimants, China, Taiwan and Vietnam, to restrict navigation rights and freedoms around the features they claim by policies that require prior permission or notification of transit within territorial seas. The excessive claims regarding Triton Island are inconsistent with international law as reflected in the Law of the Sea Convention.
During the operation, the USS Curtis Wilbur, (DDG 54) transited in innocent passage within 12 nautical miles of Triton Island.
This operation was about challenging excessive maritime claims that restrict the rights and freedoms of the United States and other, not about territorial claims to land features. The United States takes no position on competing sovereignty claims between the parties to naturally-formed land features in the South China Sea. The United State does take a strong position on protecting the rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of the sea and airspace guaranteed to all countries, and that all maritime claims must comply with international law.
No claimants were notified prior to the transit, which is consistent with our normal process and international law.
This operation demonstrates, as President Obama and Secretary Carter have stated, the United States will fly, sail and operate anywhere international law allows. That is true in the South China Sea, as in other places around the globe.
Since 1979, the U.S. Freedom of Navigation program has demonstrated non-acquiescence to excessive maritime claims by coastal states all around the world. The program includes both consultations and representation by U.S. diplomats and operational activities by U.S. military forces.
On Saturday, the USS Curtis Wilbur sailed within 12 nautical miles of a disputed island in the Paracel Islands.
By Ankit Panda
January 31, 2016
.
mage Credit: Flickr/ U.S.Navy
On Saturday, a U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer, the USS Curtis Wilbur, sailed within 12 nautical miles of Triton Island in the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea. Triton Island is claimed by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam, and is administered by China. TheCurtis Wilbur‘s passage near Triton Island marks the first freedom of navigation patrol in the South China Sea since the U.S. Navy sailed the USS Lassen within 12 nautical miles of Subi Reef in the Spratly Islands, marking 95 days between the two operations. Triton Island is not among the features where China has built artificial islands and constructed military and civilian features.
According to Captain Jeff Davis, a spokesperson for the Pentagon, no Chinese People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLAN) vessels attempted to inhibit the Curtis Wilbur‘s passage unlike during the October freedom of navigation patrol in the Spratlys, when PLAN vessels escorted the Lassen out of the 12 nautical mile zone around Subi Reef. “This operation challenged attempts by the three claimants — China, Taiwan and Vietnam — to restrict navigation rights and freedoms,” Davis added.
Davis clarified that the latest freedom of navigation patrol was an “innocent passage,” intended to challenge policies by both China and Vietnam that require vessels transiting the 12 nautical mile territorial waters of features in the Paracels to first notify maritime authorities. The United States rejects prior notification and sees these waters as open for lawful navigation compliant with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea (UNCLOS). “No claimants were notified prior to the transit, which is consistent with our normal process and international law,” Davis added.
The Chinese foreign ministry protested the freedom of navigation patrol. “The American warship has violated relevant Chinese laws by entering Chinese territorial waters without prior permission, and the Chinese side has taken relevant measures including monitoring and admonishments,” it said in a statement. “We urge the US side to respect [and] abide by relevant Chinese laws, to do more things conducive to Sino-US mutual trust and regional peace and stability,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying added in the statement.
Notably, the statement asserts that the Curtis Wilbur entered “Chinese territorial waters.” In October, after theLassen‘s freedom of navigation operation, the Chinese foreign ministry preserved a degree of ambiguity about its maritime claims in the Spratlys by noting that the Lassen‘s passage “threatened China’s sovereignty and security interests.” China has described its claims in the Spratlys as a “military alert zone” at times–a designation that has no particular meaning in international law.
Saturday’s freedom of navigation operation comes shortly after the heads of both the Chinese and U.S. navies consulted about unplanned encounters at sea between the two sides. Additionally, speaking last week, the commander of U.S. military forces in the Asia-Pacific, Admiral Harry Harris, said that U.S. freedom of navigation patrols would intensify and grow more complex this year. Saturday’s freedom of navigation operation remains consistent with the precedent set in October in that it challenges excessive claims by multiple claimants. October’s freedom of navigation drew attention for challenging Chinese claims near Subi Reef, where China has built an artificial island with military applications, but it also involved the Lassen transiting within 12 nautical miles of Northeast Cay, Southwest Cay, South Reef, and Sandy Cay.
Update: U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter’s office released this complete statement on Saturday’s freedom of navigation operation:
I can confirm the Department of Defense conducted a freedom of navigation operation in the South China Sea on Jan 30 (Jan 29 EST), specifically in the vicinity of Triton Island in the Paracel Islands, to challenge excessive maritime claims of parties that claim the Paracel Islands.
This operation challenged attempts by the three claimants, China, Taiwan and Vietnam, to restrict navigation rights and freedoms around the features they claim by policies that require prior permission or notification of transit within territorial seas. The excessive claims regarding Triton Island are inconsistent with international law as reflected in the Law of the Sea Convention.
During the operation, the USS Curtis Wilbur, (DDG 54) transited in innocent passage within 12 nautical miles of Triton Island.
This operation was about challenging excessive maritime claims that restrict the rights and freedoms of the United States and other, not about territorial claims to land features. The United States takes no position on competing sovereignty claims between the parties to naturally-formed land features in the South China Sea. The United State does take a strong position on protecting the rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of the sea and airspace guaranteed to all countries, and that all maritime claims must comply with international law.
No claimants were notified prior to the transit, which is consistent with our normal process and international law.
This operation demonstrates, as President Obama and Secretary Carter have stated, the United States will fly, sail and operate anywhere international law allows. That is true in the South China Sea, as in other places around the globe.
Since 1979, the U.S. Freedom of Navigation program has demonstrated non-acquiescence to excessive maritime claims by coastal states all around the world. The program includes both consultations and representation by U.S. diplomats and operational activities by U.S. military forces.
ahojunk
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Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) greetings from the people on the Chinese SCS islands.
Greetings from Shanhu (Pattle) Island in the Paracels.
Greetings from Chenhang (Duncan) Island in the Paracels.
Greetings from Yongshu (Fiery Cross) Island, in front of the original outpost.
Meiji Island Outpost No.1.
Greetings from Meiji Island Outpost No.2.
Greetings from Subi Island. You can see the original outpost's distinctive dome in the background.
Greetings from Nanxun (Gaven) Island.
Greetings from Huayang (Cuateron) Island.
Greetings from Shanhu (Pattle) Island in the Paracels.
Greetings from Chenhang (Duncan) Island in the Paracels.
Greetings from Yongshu (Fiery Cross) Island, in front of the original outpost.
Meiji Island Outpost No.1.
Greetings from Meiji Island Outpost No.2.
Greetings from Subi Island. You can see the original outpost's distinctive dome in the background.
Greetings from Nanxun (Gaven) Island.
Greetings from Huayang (Cuateron) Island.
ahojunk
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Continued from previous post ........
Greetings from Dongmen (Hughes) Island.
And lastly, greetings from Chigua (Johnson South) Island.
This was the first island where the reclamation started in the Nansha.
Greetings from Dongmen (Hughes) Island.
And lastly, greetings from Chigua (Johnson South) Island.
This was the first island where the reclamation started in the Nansha.
ahtan_china
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dichoi
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Pls don't lying. the statement in the book didn't recognized that there is China's Island.
"Hoang Sa" is Vietnamese name, "Tay Sa" is Chinese name for Islands Paracel.
In the past there is permitted both name in Vietnamese and Chinese to be used in media or for the geology document. It is not related to the sovereignty.
In china, PRC media has also called Diaoyu Dao (釣魚島) with Japanese name Senkaku too. This map is printed in China.
Partial image of map showing Senkaku Islands in World Atlas published in China in 1960.
It is states that this is a classified PRC government map from 1969 and that it lists the Senkaku islands as Japanese name "Senkaku Guntō".
cirr
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Old pics。The North Island and the Middle Island are now one island。
And Qilianyu will be 1 quarter of a necklace pretty soon。
dichoi
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In a daring move, US warship patrols disputed South China Sea
The operation challenged attempts by the three claimants, China, Taiwan and Vietnam, to restrict navigation rights and freedoms around the features they claim by policies that require prior permission or notification of transit within territorial seas
By: PTI | Washington | Updated: January 30, 2016 6:22 pm
- See more at: In a daring move, US warship patrols disputed South China Sea | The Indian Express
An American warship on Saturday patrolled the disputed South China Sea claimed by China, Taiwan and Vietnam, “to challenge excessive maritime claims” that restrict the rights and freedoms of the US and others.
The daring freedom of navigation operation by the US, mainly aimed at China, was first reported by The Wall Street Journal in a lead story.
“A US warship conducted a patrol Saturday around an island in the South China Sea claimed by China and two of its neighbors, another in a series of operations intended to challenge Beijing’s maritime and territorial claims in the region,” the daily said.
The Pentagon confirmed its operation in South China Sea.
“I can confirm the Department of Defense conducted a freedom of navigation operation in the South China Sea on Jan 30 (Jan 29 EST), specifically in the vicinity of Triton Island in the Paracel Islands, to challenge excessive maritime claims,” Commander Bill Urban, a Pentagon spokesman, told PTI in response to a question.
This operation challenged attempts by the three claimants, China, Taiwan and Vietnam, to restrict navigation rights and freedoms around the features they claim by policies that require prior permission or notification of transit within territorial seas, he said. The excessive claims regarding Triton Island are inconsistent with international law as reflected in the Law of the Sea Convention.
“During the operation, the USS Curtis Wilbur, transited in innocent passage within 12 nautical miles of Triton Island,” Urban said, adding that this operation was about challenging excessive maritime claims that restrict the rights and freedoms of the US and others, not about territorial claims to land features.
According to the daily, the operation lasted about three hours, during which there were no Chinese army or navy seen in the area. “We saw nothing that was unusual in terms of the reaction,” a senior defense official was quoted as saying.
The US takes no position on competing sovereignty claims between the parties to naturally-formed land features in the South China Sea, Urban reiterated.
However, Urban said that US does take a strong position on protecting the rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of the sea and airspace guaranteed to all countries and that all maritime claims must comply with international law.
“No claimants were notified prior to the transit, which is consistent with our normal process and international law,” he said. This operation demonstrates, as US President Barack Obama and Defense Secretary have stated, the US will fly, sail and operate anywhere international law allows.
“That is true in the South China Sea, as in other places around the globe,” Urban said.
Since 1979, the US Freedom of Navigation program has demonstrated non-acquiescence to excessive maritime claims by coastal states all around the world. The program includes both consultations and representation by US diplomats and operational activities by US military forces.
- See more at: In a daring move, US warship patrols disputed South China Sea | The Indian Express
The operation challenged attempts by the three claimants, China, Taiwan and Vietnam, to restrict navigation rights and freedoms around the features they claim by policies that require prior permission or notification of transit within territorial seas
By: PTI | Washington | Updated: January 30, 2016 6:22 pm
- See more at: In a daring move, US warship patrols disputed South China Sea | The Indian Express
An American warship on Saturday patrolled the disputed South China Sea claimed by China, Taiwan and Vietnam, “to challenge excessive maritime claims” that restrict the rights and freedoms of the US and others.
The daring freedom of navigation operation by the US, mainly aimed at China, was first reported by The Wall Street Journal in a lead story.
“A US warship conducted a patrol Saturday around an island in the South China Sea claimed by China and two of its neighbors, another in a series of operations intended to challenge Beijing’s maritime and territorial claims in the region,” the daily said.
The Pentagon confirmed its operation in South China Sea.
“I can confirm the Department of Defense conducted a freedom of navigation operation in the South China Sea on Jan 30 (Jan 29 EST), specifically in the vicinity of Triton Island in the Paracel Islands, to challenge excessive maritime claims,” Commander Bill Urban, a Pentagon spokesman, told PTI in response to a question.
This operation challenged attempts by the three claimants, China, Taiwan and Vietnam, to restrict navigation rights and freedoms around the features they claim by policies that require prior permission or notification of transit within territorial seas, he said. The excessive claims regarding Triton Island are inconsistent with international law as reflected in the Law of the Sea Convention.
“During the operation, the USS Curtis Wilbur, transited in innocent passage within 12 nautical miles of Triton Island,” Urban said, adding that this operation was about challenging excessive maritime claims that restrict the rights and freedoms of the US and others, not about territorial claims to land features.
According to the daily, the operation lasted about three hours, during which there were no Chinese army or navy seen in the area. “We saw nothing that was unusual in terms of the reaction,” a senior defense official was quoted as saying.
The US takes no position on competing sovereignty claims between the parties to naturally-formed land features in the South China Sea, Urban reiterated.
However, Urban said that US does take a strong position on protecting the rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of the sea and airspace guaranteed to all countries and that all maritime claims must comply with international law.
“No claimants were notified prior to the transit, which is consistent with our normal process and international law,” he said. This operation demonstrates, as US President Barack Obama and Defense Secretary have stated, the US will fly, sail and operate anywhere international law allows.
“That is true in the South China Sea, as in other places around the globe,” Urban said.
Since 1979, the US Freedom of Navigation program has demonstrated non-acquiescence to excessive maritime claims by coastal states all around the world. The program includes both consultations and representation by US diplomats and operational activities by US military forces.
- See more at: In a daring move, US warship patrols disputed South China Sea | The Indian Express
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