US Navy resumes operations in South China Sea

(UPDATE) THE United States Navy resumed on Friday its freedom of navigation operation (Fonop) in the South China Sea after a six-month pause.

The commander of the US 7th Fleet Public Affairs said the USS Dewey (DDG 105) asserted navigational rights and freedoms in the South China Sea near the Spratly Islands, consistent with international law.

The US 7th Fleet Public Affairs chief said the Fonop upheld the rights, freedoms and lawful uses of the sea recognized in international law “by challenging restrictions on innocent passage” imposed by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam.

China, Taiwan and Vietnam each claim the entirety of the Spratly Islands, while the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei claim certain features.

The US Navy said that China, Vietnam and Taiwan each require permission or advance notification before a military vessel or warship engages in “innocent passage” through their territorial sea, in violation of international law.

“The unilateral imposition of any authorization or advance-notification requirement for innocent passage is unlawful,” the US Navy argued.

It said by engaging in the innocent passage without giving prior notification to or asking permission from any of the claimants, the US challenged these unlawful restrictions.

US forces operate in the South China Sea daily and routinely operate in close coordination with allied countries that share the commitment “to uphold a free and open international order that promotes security and prosperity.”

“All of our operations are conducted safely, professionally — and in accordance with customary international law. The operations demonstrate that the United States will fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows — regardless of the location of excessive maritime claims and regardless of current events,” the US Navy said.

Meanwhile, in a virtual briefing with reporters, Capt. Claudine Caluori, Mission Commander of the US Navy’s Pacific Partnership 2023, said the US Navy will do more to help the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine Navy address China’s continued harassment in the West Philippine Sea.

Caluori also said the US Navy will maintain its presence in the Indo-Pacific Region.