Washington is ramping up its show of force as tensions spike in Asia. China on Wednesday said it’s holding drills in the South China Sea.
Beijing also released photos of its third aircraft carrier the same day as the United States and the Philippines performed maritime exercises in the region. It’s their second drill in less than two months.
Over 20 percent of global trade passes through the South China Sea. Both China and the Philippines claim parts of the region. Though China claims almost all of it. An international tribunal ruled China’s claim invalid in 2016.
Despite that Beijing has ramped up aggression there. Chinese coast guard vessels were caught ramming into Philippine ships and spraying water cannons at Filipino boats.
China’s actions have Pacific countries on high alert. American forces have been performing more drills with allies in the Pacific totaling as many as 37 last year. The vice commander of the Navy’s 7th fleet said it’s all about deterring aggression.
The United States has also been keeping an eye on the tensions escalating on the Korean Peninsula. Washington and South Korea wrapped up a major joint drill Thursday. It lasted a week and was done near the North Korean border.
Threats from the communist country are growing. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un threatened to annihilate the United States and South Korea if it’s provoked.
Just two weeks ago, Pyongyang launched a ballistic missile. Japan said the weapon was capable of striking anywhere in the United States. The North also tested weapons designed to hit targets in the South and the Pacific.
The United States has sent more military assets to the region, including a nuclear missile submarine, aircraft carriers, and large bombers.