After sea incident, China praises ties with US


Save Story
Leer en espaƱol

Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

BEIJING (AP) - Military relations with the United States face a rosy outlook, China's Defense Ministry said Wednesday, in an apparent attempt to limit damage from a recent confrontation between the countries' navies in the South China Sea.

A ministry statement said the sides discussed issues relating to the Dec. 5 incident through normal channels and "carried out effective communication."

"Relations between the Chinese and U.S. militaries enjoy excellent prospects for development and both sides are willing to boost communication, coordinate closely, and work to maintain regional peace and stability," the statement said.

In its first official comment on the incident, the ministry offered few details other than to say the Chinese amphibious ship involved had been on regular patrol and "appropriately handled the matter in strict accordance with operational procedures."

The U.S. Pacific Fleet has said the cruiser USS Cowpens maneuvered to avoid a collision while operating in international waters. It said both vessels eventually "maneuvered to ensure safe passage" after discussions between officers onboard.

However, a newspaper published by the ruling Communist Party on Monday accused the U.S. ship of crowding Chinese ships accompanying the country's first aircraft carrier on sea trials.

The Global Times said the Cowpens came within 45 kilometers (30 miles) of the Chinese squadron, inside what it called its "inner defense layer."

The incident came amid heightened tensions over China's expanding navy and growing assertiveness in the region, where it claims vast areas of heavily trafficked waters and numerous island groups.

Beijing recently declared a new air defense zone over parts of the East China Sea encompassing Japanese-controlled islands claimed by China, prompting heavy criticism and defiance from Washington, Tokyo and others.

During visits this week, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Washington would provide more than $70 million in security assistance to Vietnam and the Philippines _ countries locked in competing claims with China over territory in the South China Sea.

The Dec. 5 confrontation was the most serious incident between the two navies since 2009, when Chinese ships and planes repeatedly harassed the U.S. ocean surveillance vessel USNS Impeccable in the South China Sea.

Partly to avoid such confrontations, the U.S. has been pushing for increased exchanges and limited joint exercises with the Chinese military. Next year, China's navy is set to take part for the first time in a major international maritime exercise known as Rim of the Pacific.

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Most recent World stories

Related topics

World
CHRISTOPHER BODEEN

    STAY IN THE KNOW

    Get informative articles and interesting stories delivered to your inbox weekly. Subscribe to the KSL.com Trending 5.
    By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to KSL.com's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
    Newsletter Signup

    KSL Weather Forecast

    KSL Weather Forecast
    Play button