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General: Destroyer Collision ‘No Setback’ to US Presence in South China Sea

© REUTERS / Ahmad MasoodThe U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain is seen after a collision, in Singapore waters August 21, 2017
The U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain is seen after a collision, in Singapore waters August 21, 2017 - Sputnik International
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The Monday collision of the USS John S. McCain with a Liberian oil tanker will not impact the American doctrine of “freedom of navigation” in the disputed South China Sea, according to the commander of US Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) on Friday.

General Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy issued a statement during his visit to Malaysia about the collision. "There is no setback to the operations following these incidents," O'Shaughnessy said. "We stand firm that we are going to sail and fly anywhere where international rules allow."

The USS McCain has been deployed in the South China Sea since late 2016, a show of American strength in the sea that is disputed by 10 different nations — including China.

This photo taken on May 10, 2016 shows crew members of China's South Sea Fleet taking part in a logistics supply drill near the James Shoal area on South China Sea - Sputnik International
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To consolidate their claims in the strategically and economically significant region, China has built numerous artificial islands in the South China Sea. Earlier in August, the McCain came within 14 miles of Mischief Reef, one such Chinese artificial island.

Later that month, in a bizarre incident that still hasn't been explained, the McCain collided with the Liberian Alnic MC off the coast of Malaysia, leading to significant damage and the deaths of two US sailors.

China and the United States have butted heads over the South China Sea time and again since 2010 when then-US President Barack Obama threw his weight behind the "freedom of navigation" doctrine — a doctrine continued by Obama's successor Donald Trump. The doctrine stipulates that the US would formally remain neutral in any territory disputes, but enforce that ships be allowed to sail through the South China Sea without aggrievement. 

Chinese dredging vessels are purportedly seen in the waters around Fiery Cross Reef in the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea in this still file image from video taken by a P-8A Poseidon surveillance aircraft provided by the United States Navy - Sputnik International
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China, which claims the South China Sea as their territory, considers the movement of foreign ships through the sea as a violation of their territory. The United States has maintained a persistent naval presence in the South China Sea since 2015, with only a brief break in the spring of 2017 as a potential concession to China in exchange for Beijing putting more pressure on North Korea.

After the US stepped away from that strategy, military operations resumed in the South China Sea.

O'Shaugnessy also discussed North Korea, specifically Pyongyang's threat to attack the US Pacific territory of Guam in July. He said that the US took the threats "incredibly seriously."

"This is a serious time in the relations with North Korea … We are ready to respond at a moment's notice."

A view of U.S. military planes parked on the tarmac of Andersen Air Force base on the island of Guam, a U.S. Pacific Territory, August 15, 2017 - Sputnik International
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After signs of a thaw between the US and North Korea, the Pyongyang indicated earlier in August that they were working on more advanced nuclear weapons, including an improved intercontinental ballistic missile. 

"That is our concern … we are not going to accept a nuclear-tipped ICBM pointed at the United States from North Korea; that's been stated by our president and that is something we feel very strongly about," said O'Shaughnessy.

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