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A group of US carriers entered the South China Sea to promote “freedom of the seas” on Saturday, as Taiwan reported that China had sent fighter jets and bombers into the island’s airspace, according to a report released on Sunday.
USS Theodore Roosevelt led the strike group in the South China Sea days after President Biden was sworn in at Wednesday’s inauguration on Capitol Hill – setting up an early test for the administration, reported Reuters.
“After navigating these waters throughout my 30-year career, it’s great to be in the South China Sea again, to conduct routine operations, to promote the freedom of the seas and to reassure allies. and partners, ”Rear Adm Doug Verissimo, strike group commander, said in a statement.
“With two-thirds of world trade passing through this very important region, it is vital that we maintain our presence and continue to promote the rules-based order that has allowed us all to prosper,” the statement from Verissimo continued.
During his Senate confirmation hearing last week, Biden’s candidate for Secretary of State Antony Blinken said former President Trump was right to take a hard line with China and said he There was “no doubt” that the government led by the Communist Party posed the greatest challenge. in the USA.
“President Trump was right to take a tougher approach to China. I totally disagree with how he did it in a number of areas, but the basic premise was right, and I think that is actually useful for our foreign policy ”, Blinken told senators.
Ch ina, who claims control of large areas of the South China Sea along with Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei and Taiwan, has repeatedly criticized the United States for sending navy ships to the region .
The USS Roosevelt is part of a strike group consisting of the guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill and the guided-missile destroyers USS Russell and USS John Finn.
China sent 13 fighter jets into Taiwan’s airspace on Saturday – eight bombers, four fighter jets and an anti-submarine patrol plane Blinken said during his hearing that the United States will continue to respect their commitment to support Taiwan.
“There has been a strong and long-standing bipartisan commitment to Taiwan,” Blinken said, adding that “the commitment to Taiwan is something we hold very firmly to.”
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