Trump risks war with Beijing AND Pyongyang as President sends warships to South China Sea

Wednesday, May 10, 2017
By Paul Martin

THE United States will start to patrol the South China Sea for the first time since Donald Trump became president – despite the high possibility of angering China into siding with North Korea.

By ALIX CULBERTSON
Express.co.uk
Wed, May 10, 2017

US Navy Commander Gary Ross has revealed the Freedom of Navigation Operations (FONOPs) will continue following the pause created by Donald Trump assuming office earlier this year.

China claims about 80 per cent of the South China Sea, including reefs and shoals, but this is disputed by the Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam Malaysia and Brunei.

Beijing has reclaimed hundreds of acres of land since 2012 to turn seven of these areas into man-made islands with runways and deepwater berths, prompting accusations they are being turned into military outposts.

China could threaten the movement of billions of dollars worth of cargo travelling through the region if Beijing claims sovereignty of the islands.

Under Barack Obama, FONOPs were conducted six times, which usually involved US warships sailing within 12 nautical miles of islets and reefs to test Chinese claims and illustrate they are in international waters.

The pause in operations sparked speculation Mr Trump may have agreed to back off the issue in exchange for Chinese co-operation over North Korea.

The Rest…HERE

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