Beijing Warns of Maritime Security Risks After US Jet and Helicopter Crashes in South China Sea
Beijing on Monday warned that repeated US military drills in the South China Sea are threatening maritime security, following two separate crashes involving a US Navy jet and helicopter in the disputed waters a day earlier.
“The US is flexing its muscles by sending military aircraft into the South China Sea frequently, and this serves as a root cause for sabotaging regional peace and stability and maritime security issues,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said at a news conference in Beijing.
According to the US Navy’s Pacific Fleet, an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter and an F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet crashed during routine operations on Sunday. The helicopter, assigned to the Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 73 “Battle Cats,” went down around 2:45 p.m. local time, while the fighter jet from Strike Fighter Squadron 22 “Fighting Redcocks” crashed shortly after. All crew members from both incidents were rescued and are in stable condition, the US Pacific Fleet confirmed.
“If the United States has any request, then China will provide necessary assistance out of humanitarianism,” Guo said, adding that the incidents highlight the risks of increased military presence in the region.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., speaking at the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur, also expressed concern over continuing incidents in the West Philippine Sea, which he said endangered Philippine personnel and assets. In response, Guo said that “the provocative actions of the Philippines are the root cause of tensions,” emphasizing that the South China Sea should remain a shared space of peace and stability for China and ASEAN nations.
