Latest news with #U.S.PacificFleet
11-07-2025
- Politics
US commander says China has failed to coerce rival states in South China Sea
MANILA, Philippines -- China has failed to intimidate rival claimant states into surrendering their sovereign interests in the disputed South China Sea despite its intensifying 'bullying tactics' and the United States and other allied countries are ready to further boost deterrence against Beijing's aggression, the U.S. Pacific Fleet commander said. Adm. Stephen Koehler, who oversees the largest naval fleet command in the world, gave assurances Friday in a Manila forum of U.S. commitment to help defend freedom of passage and the rule of law in the Indo-Pacific region. The Pacific Fleet's mission, he said, was to deter aggression across the region with allies and partners 'and to prevail in combat if necessary." China's tactics have 'grown steadily and more aggressive with rammings, water cannons, lasers and sometimes worse,' Koehler said. 'But despite these bullying tactics … China has failed to intimidate Southeast Asian claimants into surrendering their sovereign rights.' Chinese officials did not immediately comment on Koehler's remarks, but they have warned Washington in the past to stop meddling in what Beijing says is a purely Asian dispute that China has been trying to resolve peacefully. Koehler cited how Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam have sustained or expanded their offshore oil and gas operations in their Exclusive Economic Zones in the South China Sea despite Beijing's growing assertiveness. The Philippines, he said, has boldly exposed China's assertive actions by publicizing the dangerous maneuvers of Chinese forces, including the use of powerful water cannons and laser beams. 'We've seen a laudable resilience and resolve to defend their maritime rights in the face of mounting pressure. Nearly all Southeast Asian littoral states are now prioritizing stronger maritime capabilities,' Koehler told the forum. 'The U.S. Pacific Fleet is always ready to work with you to strengthen deterrence and show no individual country can be pushed around." Deterrence, he said, has worked to prevent a larger conflict and crisis that could hamper the flow of trade through the waterway and affect many economies. Western and Asian ambassadors, including from the U.S., Canada, Australia, France, Germany, the European Union, Japan and New Zealand, spoke at the forum, which marked the 9th anniversary of the issuance of a 2016 international arbitration ruling that invalidated China's claims to virtually the entire South China Sea. The Philippines brought its conflicts with China in the South China Sea to international arbitration in 2013, a year after a tense standoff over a disputed shoal which Beijing's forces surrounded and effectively seized. China refused to participate in the arbitration, rejected its outcome as a 'sham' and continues to defy it. U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson said the arbitration ruling was a triumph for the Philippines and 'a beacon guiding us toward a future where powerful countries cannot trample on the legal rights of other states." 'Nine years on, Beijing has ignored the ruling and continues to operate with impunity,' Carlson said. 'China continues to engage in illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive actions in support of its spurious claims.' She renewed a warning that the U.S. is obligated to defend the Philippines under a 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty if Philippine forces come under an armed attack, including in the South China Sea. With China's 'worrisome' rejection of the arbitration ruling, the Philippines has moved to strengthen its forces and territorial defense, including by pursuing legislation to demarcate the limits of its territory, which has further strained Manila's ties with Beijing, Philippine Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro told the forum in a video message. But she said that 'it is a strategic consideration that we continue the dialogue and consultation with China, even amidst tensions that severely impact the bilateral relationship." Chinese and Philippine officials plan to hold another round of talks in Beijing on their increasingly tense disputes in the South China Sea later this month to prevent further escalation.
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
US commander says China has failed to coerce rival states in South China Sea
China has failed to intimidate rival claimant states into surrendering their sovereign interests in the disputed South China Sea despite its intensifying "bullying tactics" and the United States and other allied countries are ready to further boost deterrence against Beijing's aggression, the U.S. Pacific Fleet commander said. Adm. Stephen Koehler, who oversees the largest naval fleet command in the world, gave assurances Friday in a Manila forum of U.S. commitment to help defend freedom of passage and the rule of law in the Indo-Pacific region. The Pacific Fleet's mission, he said, was to deter aggression across the region with allies and partners "and to prevail in combat if necessary." China's tactics have "grown steadily and more aggressive with rammings, water cannons, lasers and sometimes worse," Koehler said. "But despite these bullying tactics ... China has failed to intimidate Southeast Asian claimants into surrendering their sovereign rights." Chinese officials did not immediately comment on Koehler's remarks, but they have warned Washington in the past to stop meddling in what Beijing says is a purely Asian dispute that China has been trying to resolve peacefully. Koehler cited how Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam have sustained or expanded their offshore oil and gas operations in their Exclusive Economic Zones in the South China Sea despite Beijing's growing assertiveness. The Philippines, he said, has boldly exposed China's assertive actions by publicizing the dangerous maneuvers of Chinese forces, including the use of powerful water cannons and laser beams. Live Events "We've seen a laudable resilience and resolve to defend their maritime rights in the face of mounting pressure. Nearly all Southeast Asian littoral states are now prioritizing stronger maritime capabilities," Koehler told the forum. "The U.S. Pacific Fleet is always ready to work with you to strengthen deterrence and show no individual country can be pushed around." Deterrence, he said, has worked to prevent a larger conflict and crisis that could hamper the flow of trade through the waterway and affect many economies. Western and Asian ambassadors, including from the U.S., Canada, Australia, France, Germany, the European Union , Japan and New Zealand, spoke at the forum, which marked the 9th anniversary of the issuance of a 2016 international arbitration ruling that invalidated China's claims to virtually the entire South China Sea. The Philippines brought its conflicts with China in the South China Sea to international arbitration in 2013, a year after a tense standoff over a disputed shoal which Beijing's forces surrounded and effectively seized. China refused to participate in the arbitration, rejected its outcome as a "sham" and continues to defy it. U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson said the arbitration ruling was a triumph for the Philippines and "a beacon guiding us toward a future where powerful countries cannot trample on the legal rights of other states." "Nine years on, Beijing has ignored the ruling and continues to operate with impunity," Carlson said. "China continues to engage in illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive actions in support of its spurious claims." She renewed a warning that the U.S. is obligated to defend the Philippines under a 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty if Philippine forces come under an armed attack, including in the South China Sea. With China's "worrisome" rejection of the arbitration ruling, the Philippines has moved to strengthen its forces and territorial defense, including by pursuing legislation to demarcate the limits of its territory, which has further strained Manila's ties with Beijing, Philippine Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro told the forum in a video message. But she said that "it is a strategic consideration that we continue the dialogue and consultation with China, even amidst tensions that severely impact the bilateral relationship." Chinese and Philippine officials plan to hold another round of talks in Beijing on their increasingly tense disputes in the South China Sea later this month to prevent further escalation.
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
US commander says China has failed to coerce rival states in South China Sea
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — China has failed to intimidate rival claimant states into surrendering their sovereign interests in the disputed South China Sea despite its intensifying 'bullying tactics' and the United States and other allied countries are ready to further boost deterrence against Beijing's aggression, the U.S. Pacific Fleet commander said. Adm. Stephen Koehler, who oversees the largest naval fleet command in the world, gave assurances Friday in a Manila forum of U.S. commitment to help defend freedom of passage and the rule of law in the Indo-Pacific region. The Pacific Fleet's mission, he said, was to deter aggression across the region with allies and partners 'and to prevail in combat if necessary." China's tactics have 'grown steadily and more aggressive with rammings, water cannons, lasers and sometimes worse,' Koehler said. 'But despite these bullying tactics … China has failed to intimidate Southeast Asian claimants into surrendering their sovereign rights.' Chinese officials did not immediately comment on Koehler's remarks, but they have warned Washington in the past to stop meddling in what Beijing says is a purely Asian dispute that China has been trying to resolve peacefully. Koehler cited how Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam have sustained or expanded their offshore oil and gas operations in their Exclusive Economic Zones in the South China Sea despite Beijing's growing assertiveness. The Philippines, he said, has boldly exposed China's assertive actions by publicizing the dangerous maneuvers of Chinese forces, including the use of powerful water cannons and laser beams. 'We've seen a laudable resilience and resolve to defend their maritime rights in the face of mounting pressure. Nearly all Southeast Asian littoral states are now prioritizing stronger maritime capabilities,' Koehler told the forum. 'The U.S. Pacific Fleet is always ready to work with you to strengthen deterrence and show no individual country can be pushed around." Deterrence, he said, has worked to prevent a larger conflict and crisis that could hamper the flow of trade through the waterway and affect many economies. Western and Asian ambassadors, including from the U.S., Canada, Australia, France, Germany, the European Union, Japan and New Zealand, spoke at the forum, which marked the 9th anniversary of the issuance of a 2016 international arbitration ruling that invalidated China's claims to virtually the entire South China Sea. The Philippines brought its conflicts with China in the South China Sea to international arbitration in 2013, a year after a tense standoff over a disputed shoal which Beijing's forces surrounded and effectively seized. China refused to participate in the arbitration, rejected its outcome as a 'sham' and continues to defy it. U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson said the arbitration ruling was a triumph for the Philippines and 'a beacon guiding us toward a future where powerful countries cannot trample on the legal rights of other states." 'Nine years on, Beijing has ignored the ruling and continues to operate with impunity,' Carlson said. 'China continues to engage in illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive actions in support of its spurious claims.' She renewed a warning that the U.S. is obligated to defend the Philippines under a 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty if Philippine forces come under an armed attack, including in the South China Sea. With China's 'worrisome' rejection of the arbitration ruling, the Philippines has moved to strengthen its forces and territorial defense, including by pursuing legislation to demarcate the limits of its territory, which has further strained Manila's ties with Beijing, Philippine Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro told the forum in a video message. But she said that 'it is a strategic consideration that we continue the dialogue and consultation with China, even amidst tensions that severely impact the bilateral relationship." Chinese and Philippine officials plan to hold another round of talks in Beijing on their increasingly tense disputes in the South China Sea later this month to prevent further escalation.
Winnipeg Free Press
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
US commander says China has failed to coerce rival states in South China Sea
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — China has failed to intimidate rival claimant states into surrendering their sovereign interests in the disputed South China Sea despite its intensifying 'bullying tactics' and the United States and other allied countries are ready to further boost deterrence against Beijing's aggression, the U.S. Pacific Fleet commander said. Adm. Stephen Koehler, who oversees the largest naval fleet command in the world, gave assurances Friday in a Manila forum of U.S. commitment to help defend freedom of passage and the rule of law in the Indo-Pacific region. The Pacific Fleet's mission, he said, was to deter aggression across the region with allies and partners 'and to prevail in combat if necessary.' China's tactics have 'grown steadily and more aggressive with rammings, water cannons, lasers and sometimes worse,' Koehler said. 'But despite these bullying tactics … China has failed to intimidate Southeast Asian claimants into surrendering their sovereign rights.' Chinese officials did not immediately comment on Koehler's remarks, but they have warned Washington in the past to stop meddling in what Beijing says is a purely Asian dispute that China has been trying to resolve peacefully. Koehler cited how Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam have sustained or expanded their offshore oil and gas operations in their Exclusive Economic Zones in the South China Sea despite Beijing's growing assertiveness. The Philippines, he said, has boldly exposed China's assertive actions by publicizing the dangerous maneuvers of Chinese forces, including the use of powerful water cannons and laser beams. 'We've seen a laudable resilience and resolve to defend their maritime rights in the face of mounting pressure. Nearly all Southeast Asian littoral states are now prioritizing stronger maritime capabilities,' Koehler told the forum. 'The U.S. Pacific Fleet is always ready to work with you to strengthen deterrence and show no individual country can be pushed around.' Deterrence, he said, has worked to prevent a larger conflict and crisis that could hamper the flow of trade through the waterway and affect many economies. Western and Asian ambassadors, including from the U.S., Canada, Australia, France, Germany, the European Union, Japan and New Zealand, spoke at the forum, which marked the 9th anniversary of the issuance of a 2016 international arbitration ruling that invalidated China's claims to virtually the entire South China Sea. The Philippines brought its conflicts with China in the South China Sea to international arbitration in 2013, a year after a tense standoff over a disputed shoal which Beijing's forces surrounded and effectively seized. China refused to participate in the arbitration, rejected its outcome as a 'sham' and continues to defy it. U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson said the arbitration ruling was a triumph for the Philippines and 'a beacon guiding us toward a future where powerful countries cannot trample on the legal rights of other states.' 'Nine years on, Beijing has ignored the ruling and continues to operate with impunity,' Carlson said. 'China continues to engage in illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive actions in support of its spurious claims.' She renewed a warning that the U.S. is obligated to defend the Philippines under a 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty if Philippine forces come under an armed attack, including in the South China Sea. With China's 'worrisome' rejection of the arbitration ruling, the Philippines has moved to strengthen its forces and territorial defense, including by pursuing legislation to demarcate the limits of its territory, which has further strained Manila's ties with Beijing, Philippine Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro told the forum in a video message. But she said that 'it is a strategic consideration that we continue the dialogue and consultation with China, even amidst tensions that severely impact the bilateral relationship.' Chinese and Philippine officials plan to hold another round of talks in Beijing on their increasingly tense disputes in the South China Sea later this month to prevent further escalation.
Newsweek
04-06-2025
- General
- Newsweek
US Sends Amphibious Warship to Pacific Front Line
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A United States amphibious warship capable of projecting military power from sea to shore has begun its transit to Japan—the U.S.'s ally in Northeast Asia—for forward deployment. The deployment of USS Tripoli—an America-class amphibious assault ship—demonstrates Washington's commitment to the defense of Japan, the U.S. Pacific Fleet said on Monday. It added, "The security environment in the Indo-Pacific requires the most capable ships." Newsweek has contacted the Chinese Defense and Foreign ministries for comment by email. Why It Matters According to the U.S. Navy, amphibious warships are "capable of sailing in harm's way" and enabling rapid combat power buildup ashore in the face of opposition. The Tripoli and other U.S. amphibious assault ships resemble small aircraft carriers, as they can carry fighter jets. China, which challenges the U.S.'s naval dominance in the western Pacific Ocean with the world's largest navy by hull count, has been rapidly building its own amphibious force for a potential island-landing campaign across the contested Taiwan Strait and South China Sea. Japan, which hosts 55,000 U.S. military personnel, is part of the first island chain—along with Taiwan and the Philippines—under the U.S.'s maritime containment strategy, which seeks to restrict China's access to the wider Pacific Ocean through U.S.-aligned territories. What To Know The Tripoli departed Naval Base San Diego in California on May 19 to forward-deploy to Sasebo in Japan, the U.S. Pacific Fleet announced, adding that the deployment was part of a "scheduled rotation" of forces in the region, as the Tripoli would replace its sister ship, USS America. Photos taken by ship spotters show that the Tripoli arrived in Seal Beach—located north of San Diego—the following day, where it stayed for over a week before departing on May 29. Captain Eddie Park, who has served as the Tripoli's commanding officer since mid-April, said the warship was ready to defend U.S. interests and strengthen the U.S.-Japan partnership. His deputy, Captain Patrick Sullivan, described the U.S.-Japan relationship as "vital." The United States Navy amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli transiting San Diego Bay in California on May 19. The United States Navy amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli transiting San Diego Bay in California on May 19. U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Sara L. Eshleman The forward presence of the Tripoli in Japan enhances U.S. national security and strengthens its ability to protect strategic interests, the U.S. Pacific Fleet said in a news release. Meanwhile, officially released photos show the America—set to change its home port from Sasebo to San Diego—operating in the Philippine Sea as of Tuesday. The warship was seen conducting missile loading and flight operations with F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jets. What People Are Saying Captain Eddie Park, the commanding officer of USS Tripoli, said in a news release: "I am extremely proud to lead this hard-working and motivated team of Sailors and Marines overseas to support security, stability and prosperity in this vital region." Captain Patrick Sullivan, the executive officer of USS Tripoli, said: "I'm honored and excited to return as the XO of such a highly capable warship to honor our nation's security commitment to Japan." What Happens Next It is unclear whether the Tripoli and the America will have an opportunity to conduct joint operations in the western Pacific Ocean before reaching their respective new home ports.
