The U.S. military responded Friday (Jan. 29) that the Communist Party’s militarized flights do not pose a threat to U.S. carrier battle groups, but that the move fits a pattern of destabilizing and aggressive behavior by Beijing. Pictured is the Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier.
In recent weeks, the Chinese Communist Party has frequently sent military aircraft over the South China Sea to provoke U.S. carrier battle groups and to invade Taiwan‘s southwest air defense identification zone. The U.S. military responded Friday (Jan. 29), saying the militarized Chinese flights do not pose a threat to U.S. carrier battle groups, but the move fits a pattern of destabilizing and aggressive behavior by Beijing.
In a statement Friday, the U.S. Pacific Command said, “The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group (TRG) closely monitored all activities of the Chinese Communist Navy (PLAN) and Air Force (PLAAF), and they did not in any way pose a threat to U.S. Navy ships, aircraft or sailors.”
A U.S. official, who asked not to be named, said the CCP aircraft were not positioned to come within 250 nautical miles of U.S. Navy ships.
In a statement Friday, the U.S. Pacific Command reaffirmed its commitment to continue to navigate freely in the region and maintain stability in the waters.
Pacific Command said, “The United States will continue to fly, sail and operate to the extent permitted by international law, demonstrating our presence throughout the region through actions that demonstrate our resolve (to maintain stability in the area).”
The Financial Times reported that intelligence from the United States and its allies revealed that three days after Joe Biden‘s inauguration as U.S. president, Chinese Communist Party military aircraft conducted a mock missile attack on a U.S. aircraft carrier during an incursion into Taiwan’s air defense zone.
According to Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense, the Chinese Communist military sent 13 planes to Taiwan’s southwest air defense zone on Jan. 23 and 15 planes to the same area the next day.
The sources said the Chinese bombers and fighter jets conducted a mock attack exercise against the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier battle group. The Chinese planes have been hovering about 250 nautical miles from the U.S. carrier battle group, a person familiar with the matter said.
The source said conversations by the pilots of the Chinese H-6 bombers indicated that the Chinese planes were conducting simulated targeting and anti-ship missile release drills against the U.S. carrier.
Col. Mike Kafka, a spokesman for the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, said the Chinese military activity here is the latest in a series of aggressive and destabilizing actions.
“These actions reflect the Chinese Communist military’s continued attempts to use its military power to intimidate or coerce personnel operating in international waters and airspace, including neighboring countries,” Kafka said.
The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said on Jan. 23 that the U.S. aircraft carrier battle group sailed into the South China Sea the same day after Chinese Communist Party military aircraft disturbed Taiwan. According to ship tracking data, the carrier passed through the Bus Strait. The U.S. said the carrier’s move was “to ensure freedom of the seas and build partnerships that promote maritime security.”
The report said the news indicates that the situation in the Taiwan Strait and the intense military rivalry between the U.S. and China have not abated, posing a challenge to the Biden Administration.
Frequent air exercises by the Chinese Communist Party military triggered a reaction from the Biden administration, and the U.S. government warned Beijing not to intimidate Taiwan. The State Department said, “We urge Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic, and economic pressure on Taiwan.”
The State Department said, “Our commitment to Taiwan is unwavering and contributes to the maintenance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and throughout the region.”
The Biden administration also reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to help Japan counter the Chinese Communist threat.
Beijing frequently launches military operations in the energy-rich waters of the South China Sea and has established military posts on artificial islands in the waters, and is involved in frequent disputes with Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.
The U.S. government has been accusing the Chinese Communist Party of militarizing the South China Sea and trying to intimidate its Asian neighbors who want to take advantage of the sea’s rich oil and gas reserves.
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