US risks ENFLAMING TENSIONS with Beijing after BRAZEN South China Sea military drills

The allies took part in the drills amid heightened tensions between Beijing and Tokyo and aimed to showcase the pair’s military might.

Land in the South China Sea is contested, with China actively trying to claim ownership of islands in the area.

The military exercises are therefore likely to have angered Xi Jinping’s regime.

China has previously urged Washington not to “hype up the so-called militarisation of the South China Sea”.

Japan’s new helicopter carrier, Kaga, trained with the USS Ronald Reagan Strike Group in the drills, which took place on Friday.

vCard QR Code

vCard.red is a free platform for creating a mobile-friendly digital business cards. You can easily create a vCard and generate a QR code for it, allowing others to scan and save your contact details instantly.

The platform allows you to display contact information, social media links, services, and products all in one shareable link. Optional features include appointment scheduling, WhatsApp-based storefronts, media galleries, and custom design options.

Praising the success of the exercises, Rear Admiral Karl Thomas, who leads the Japan-based Task Force 70, said the drills were a “fantastic opportunity”.

He said: “The teamwork and professionalism I have experienced by both CTF 70 and JMSDF sailors during this training operation has truly demonstrated how seamlessly we can integrate with our Japanese allies.

“Training with Escort Flotilla 4 was a fantastic opportunity to bring together our strike group with the JMSDF battle group and further the interoperability we have been building for years between our forces.”

China and Japan have feuded in recent months as they accuse each other’s air force of flying too close to rivals and locking onto potential targets, sparking fears of an accidental collision.

Japan often scrambles fighter jets to intercept the Chinese around the disputed islands in the East China Sea, with terrifying stand-offs between both sides common.

In June it was agreed a hotline between the Asian powers should be set up in the hope to restrict misunderstandings.

At the time, Itsunori Onodera, Japan’s defence minister, said: “This is an important step towards advancing mutual understanding and trust between Japan and China.

“It will have great significance for both countries in avoiding accidental clashes.”

However, Tokyo’s decision to participate with the US in these drills in the South China Sea risks undoing the attempts to reduce tensions.

Tensions have also flared between China and the US since Donald Trump became President.

The economic rivals have become engaged in a trade war, leading to a deterioration in relations.


🕐 Top News in the Last Hour By Importance Score

# Title 📊 i-Score
1 At least 28 tourists killed by suspected militants in Kashmir attack 🟢 85 / 100
2 Measles cases in Texas rise to 624, state health department says 🔴 78 / 100
3 Cutting two things from diet can help lower blood pressure and risk of dementia 🔴 75 / 100
4 Canary Islands on brink of huge tourism changes in Tenerife, Lanzarote and Gran Canaria 🔴 65 / 100
5 Nintendo Expands Switch Online's GBA Library With A Classic Fire Emblem 🔵 60 / 100
6 She Moved to Italy for a Dream 3-Month Au Pair Job. 5 Days Later, She Was Fleeing Her Host Family (Exclusive) 🔵 60 / 100
7 I have been to hundreds of Greggs around the country – this is my ultimate guide to the best, and those you must avoid: MILO FLETCHER 🔵 60 / 100
8 About half of Americans have a negative view on Tesla and Elon Musk, CNBC survey finds 🔵 52 / 100
9 Brit is crushed by boulder while climbing in Spain 🔵 37 / 100
10 The movie Clint Eastwood ‘fell in love with right away’ and knew he had to make 🔵 35 / 100

View More Top News ➡️