Two U.S. Warships in South China Sea Amid China-Malaysia Standoff

Rozanna Latiff and A. Ananthalakshmi
Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Two U.S. warships are operating in the South China Sea, the Navy said on Tuesday, with three regional security sources saying they were near an area of a standoff between China and Malaysia.

The Haiyang Dizhi 8, a Chinese government research ship, was spotted last week conducting a survey close to an exploration vessel operated by Malaysia’s state oil company Petronas, months after it undertook a similar patrol off Vietnam.

The incident prompted the United States to call on China to stop its “bullying behavior” in the disputed waters, citing concern over Beijing's provocative actions towards offshore oil and gas developments there.

The U.S. State Department has said China was taking advantage of the region's focus on the coronavirus pandemic to "coerce its neighbors".

The USS America amphibious assault ship and the USS Bunker Hill, a guided-missile cruiser, have been deployed and were operating in the South China Sea, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command spokeswoman Nicole Schwegman said on Tuesday.



"Through our continued operational presence in the South China Sea, we are working ... to promote freedom of navigation and overflight, and the international principles that underpin security and prosperity for the Indo-Pacific," Schwegman said in an emailed statement to Reuters.

"The U.S. supports the efforts of our allies and partners to determine their own economic interests."

Rear Admiral Fred Kacher, commander of the USS America Expeditionary Strike Group, told Reuters that his forces had interacted with Chinese naval forces in the South China Sea this week.

"All our interactions continue to be safe and professional with them," Kacher said in a telephone interview from the USS America.

Schwegman did not state the exact location of the warships but security sources said they were close to the Haiyang Dizhi 8 and the Petronas-operated West Capella drillship. The sources declined to be identified as they were not authorized to speak to the media.

The area is near waters claimed by both Vietnam and Malaysia as well by China, through its sweeping claim to most of the South China Sea within its U-shaped 'nine-dash line' that is not recognized by its neighbors or most of the world.

China has denied reports of a stand-off, saying that the Haiyang Dizhi 8 was conducting normal activities.

"The ‘confrontation’ at sea you mention did not happen," the foreign ministry said in a faxed response to Reuters' questions on Monday.

Petronas and Malaysia's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The Chinese survey vessel's moves this month come as Beijing ramps up coronavirus diplomacy, donating large supplies of medical equipment and aid to Southeast Asian countries.

A team of Chinese medical experts arrived this week in Malaysia, which has reported more than 5,400 coronavirus infections.

The United States has accused China of taking advantage of the distraction of the pandemic to advance its presence in the South China Sea.On Sunday, Vietnam protested after China said it had established two administrative districts on the Paracel and Spratly islands in the disputed waters. 

(Reporting by Rozanna Latiff and A. Ananthalakshmi; Additional reporting by Beijing newsroom; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)

Categories: Offshore Vessels Geoscience Asia China Safety & Security Malaysia

Related Stories

MDL Secures Cable Laying Job in Asia Pacific

Yinson Production Nets DNV Approval for New FPSO Hull Design

Shelf Drilling Lands New Jack-Up Contract in Vietnam, Extends Egypt Deal

Yinson, PTSC Get $600M Contract for Vietnam-Bound FSO

Sapura Scoops Over $118M for Chevron, PTTEP Subsea Ops off Thailand

Seatrium Makes First Turnkey FPSO Delivery to Petrobras

Four Jack-Up Drilling Rig Deals Set to Bring In $129M for Borr Drilling

Fugro Expands Geotechnical Testing Capabilities in Indonesia

ABL Lands Work on BP’s Indonesian Gas and CCUS Project

Fugro Lands Deepwater Gas Field Job in Southeast Asia

Current News

MDL Secures Cable Laying Job in Asia Pacific

Hibiscus Petroleum Starts Drilling at Teal West Field off UK

Yinson Production Nets DNV Approval for New FPSO Hull Design

Hanwha Ocean's Tidal Action Drillship Starts Maiden Job with Petrobras

Petronas to Leverage AI to Expedite Oil and Gas Exploration Activities

Brownfield Output Decline Accelerates, says IEA

PV Drilling Takes Ownership of Noble Corporation’s Stacked Jack-Up Rig

Hanwha Ocean Enlists ABB for Singapore’s First Floating LNG Terminal

Aquaterra Energy Nets Subsea Analysis Contracts with INPEX off Indonesia

POSH Set to Tow Nguya FLNG from China to Eni’s Congo Field

Subscribe for AOG Digital E‑News

AOG Digital E-News is the subsea industry's largest circulation and most authoritative ENews Service, delivered to your Email three times per week

https://accounts.newwavemedia.com