Amid heightened tensions, China warns US of possible ‘military accidents’

Beijing: China has threatened the US which had sent spy planes and warships for patrolling the South China Sea region. China warned that if the US did not stop with its subversive activities in the area, a possible US-China military accident could not be denied. A few hours ago, China sent a warning to the US aircraft carriers by firing aircraft-carrier killer missiles. It intensifies threat China has issued to the US of a likely military accident. Analysts believe that after China’s missiles tests, US military activities will significantly intensify.

military accident The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is carrying out three naval drills in the maritime regions that extend across Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia. These include the South China Sea, Taiwan Strait and the Yellow Sea. The Chinese PLA has informed that the drills aimed to study the response required for retaliation if it were attacked from three different regions. China had announced a no-fly zone for conducting the live-fire exercises in the area. However, military analysts claim the objective behind the Chinese drills was to consolidate its hold over the regions as also to challenge the US. The wargames have ratcheted up the tensions in the area. Also, the surveillance of the US U-2 spy plane in the region had angered China further.

military accident To add to it, the US announced sanctions against 24 Chinese companies in the past twenty-four hours for illegal construction in the region. The sailing of the US warship USS Martin in the area under such circumstances has heightened Beijing’s ire although US Defence Secretary Mark Esper justified the move. Esper said that the patrol was a routine operation as per the naval schedule. Nevertheless, as China stakes claim over the entire maritime region, the country has expressed contempt and has hinted at conflict with the US. Colonel Li Huamin, Spokesperson for PLA Southern Theatre Command, criticised the US military activities in the South China Sea on Thursday. Col. Huamin alleged that ‘US warship has sailed through the region without permission from China, but the PLAN chased it off.’

At the same time, Huamin added that ‘A military accident is likely to occur if the US violates Chinese sovereignty, security and international laws.’ Furthermore, the Chinese Defence Ministry stated that China was not afraid of US provocation and pressure. The ministry warned that it was not going to bend down against US pressure and dance to their tune but deliver a befitting retaliation. China even tested four missiles in the South China Sea. The tests of Dongfeng missiles included DF-21D and DF-26B, which are aircraft-killer missiles. Analysts believe that China has threatened the US by carrying out such missile tests during US patrol.

military accident The US blamed China and said that China had threatened peace and security of the South China Sea by testing ballistic missiles in contested waters. The US alleged that areas in the region to which China stakes its claim is a disputed area. The US Department of Defence went on to say that conducting ballistic missile tests in contested waters was a violation of international laws. Meanwhile, analysts have warned that the US and China are making a tremendous show of force in the Indo-Pacific and may spark off a conflict. Especially, the military activities of both nations in the South China Sea are ramping up tensions in the region.