US warships approach Hoang Sa

The US announced that it was sending the destroyer USS Hopper close to the Paracel Islands, which belong to Vietnam and are illegally occupied by China.

The US Navy announced today that the guided-missile destroyer USS Hopper "exercised freedom of navigation in accordance with international law" near the Paracel Islands, which belong to Vietnam and are currently illegally occupied by China.

The announcement came after the Chinese military's Southern Theater Command announced that it had deployed forces to "track and chase away" the USS Hopper as the destroyer approached the Paracel Islands, saying the US move "created security risks in the East Sea."

USS Hopper moves in the Pacific Ocean on November 9. Photo: US Navy

The US regularly conducts freedom of navigation operations (FONOPs) in the South China Sea to challenge China’s unreasonable territorial claims. The US Navy opposes China’s drawing of so-called “straight baselines” that encompass the entire waters within the island chains in the South China Sea.

The Paracel Islands were occupied by China by force in 1974. This country established the so-called "Sansha City", headquartered on Phu Lam Island since July 2012, with the aim of taking over the archipelagos in the East Sea, including Truong Sa and Hoang Sa under Vietnam's sovereignty.

Vietnam has repeatedly condemned China’s illegal activities in the East Sea. The Foreign Ministry spokesman stated that Vietnam has sufficient historical evidence and legal basis to assert its sovereignty over Truong Sa and Hoang Sa, in accordance with international law. All activities of parties in Truong Sa and Hoang Sa without Vietnam’s permission are invalid.

South China Sea area. Graphics: CSIS

Duc Trung (According to Reuters )

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