China warns of military conflict risk as US steps up flights
May 26, 2020 15:58:31 GMT -5
Post by schwartzie on May 26, 2020 15:58:31 GMT -5
China warns of military conflict risk as US steps up warplane flights over South China Sea
US DEFENCE chiefs have ramped up warplane activity in the skies above the South China Sea with an increased number of flyovers by B-1B Lancer bombers.
By SIMON OSBORNE
PUBLISHED: 15:09, Thu, May 21, 2020 | UPDATED: 15:31, Thu, May 21, 2020
The flyovers came with increased military operations by both the US Navy and Air Force in the South China Sea, East China Sea, the Taiwan Strait and the Yellow Sea this year. China has warned of a growing risk of military conflict between the two countries. The US Pacific Air Forces said B-1 bombers conducted a mission in the South China Sea just days after training with the US Navy near Hawaii.
Risks of military conflict cannot be ruled out in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait
Song Zhongping
A spokesman said the warplanes were "demonstrating the credibility of US air forces to address a diverse and uncertain security environment”.
Li Jie, a military specialist based in Beijing, said the US was trying to keep up strategic deterrence, with the US Air Force conducting 11 flights in March and 13 in April over the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea.
He said: “Obviously, decision makers in the Pentagon are trying to use the bombers as a new tool in its strategic deterrence against China.
"We will see intensified B-1 interference into airspace over the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea in May.”
Mr Li said two B-1B bombers flew over the East China Sea and also flew over the waters off the coast of northeast Taiwan on May 6.
Zhu Feng, director of international studies at Nanjing University, said tensions in the South China Sea had become increasingly “tense and turbulent” in the past three months and were closely linked to political and diplomatic conflict between the two countries.
The US Air Force deployed four B-1B bombers and about 200 airmen from Texas to the Andersen Air Force Base in Guam on May 1.
A spokesman said the mission was to support Pacific Air Forces and to conduct training and operations with allies and partners.
Full article at link
US DEFENCE chiefs have ramped up warplane activity in the skies above the South China Sea with an increased number of flyovers by B-1B Lancer bombers.
By SIMON OSBORNE
PUBLISHED: 15:09, Thu, May 21, 2020 | UPDATED: 15:31, Thu, May 21, 2020
The flyovers came with increased military operations by both the US Navy and Air Force in the South China Sea, East China Sea, the Taiwan Strait and the Yellow Sea this year. China has warned of a growing risk of military conflict between the two countries. The US Pacific Air Forces said B-1 bombers conducted a mission in the South China Sea just days after training with the US Navy near Hawaii.
Risks of military conflict cannot be ruled out in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait
Song Zhongping
A spokesman said the warplanes were "demonstrating the credibility of US air forces to address a diverse and uncertain security environment”.
Li Jie, a military specialist based in Beijing, said the US was trying to keep up strategic deterrence, with the US Air Force conducting 11 flights in March and 13 in April over the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea.
He said: “Obviously, decision makers in the Pentagon are trying to use the bombers as a new tool in its strategic deterrence against China.
"We will see intensified B-1 interference into airspace over the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea in May.”
Mr Li said two B-1B bombers flew over the East China Sea and also flew over the waters off the coast of northeast Taiwan on May 6.
Zhu Feng, director of international studies at Nanjing University, said tensions in the South China Sea had become increasingly “tense and turbulent” in the past three months and were closely linked to political and diplomatic conflict between the two countries.
The US Air Force deployed four B-1B bombers and about 200 airmen from Texas to the Andersen Air Force Base in Guam on May 1.
A spokesman said the mission was to support Pacific Air Forces and to conduct training and operations with allies and partners.
Full article at link