US mulls show of force amid tensions with China: report
The U.S. is mulling a show of force near the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait in an effort to demonstrate that the U.S. will not be deterred by threats of Chinese military action, according to CNN.
The U.S. Navy’s Pacific Fleet is circulating a proposal to carry out a set of exercises that would send troops, aircraft and warships to demonstrate strength near China’s territorial waters, CNN reported.
{mosads}The show of force would reportedly take place during a week in November. It has not yet been approved by the military and one official told CNN it is “just an idea.”
“As the secretary of defense has said on countless occasions, we don’t comment on future operations of any kind,” said Pentagon spokesman Lt. Col. David Eastburn.
The military engages in multiple operations of this kind throughout the year, but these actions would be concentrated within a one-week span in a deliberate attempt to intimidate the Chinese.
Secretary of Defense James Mattis last week cancelled a planned visit to Beijing in October, two officials told CNN. Mattis was set to meet with Chinese officials to discuss issues of security.
Tensions between the U.S. and China have been escalating for month, as the two countries have significantly ramped up tariffs on each other’s exports. Trump last week called Chinese leader Xi Jinping “not … a friend of mine anymore.”
China typically sees shows of force by the U.S. as acts of provocation, CNN noted.
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