US set for massive show of power in South China Sea

US warships, aircraft set for a major operation in the South China Sea as Washington raises the stakes in its stand-off with Beijing.

An SH-60B Sea Hawk helicopter approaches USS Decatur (DDG 73) during military exercises. Picture: Getty Images.

US warships and aircraft are preparing for a series of missions in the South China Sea as Washington raises the stakes in its stand-off with Beijing over Chinese attempts to dominate one of the world’s busiest shipping routes.

The missions could be launched over a few days next month, CNN reported, citing a classified proposal drawn up by the US navy’s Pacific Fleet. US ships frequently carry out patrols and exercises in this region.

This week the Pentagon revealed that a Chinese warship came within 45 yards of USS Decatur, a destroyer. A concentrated display of American firepower over several days near disputed islands that Beijing has converted into military bases could risk a more direct confrontation. The classified proposal makes it clear that conflict with Chinese ships would be avoided.

The proposal, which is yet to receive the approval of James Mattis, US Defence Secretary, emerged as Mike Pompeo, the Secretary of State, announced his intention to visit Beijing next week, part of a move to improve relations with China.

His trip to Beijing will follow high-level meetings in Pyongyang to revive denuclearisation negotiations with North Korea, as well as visits to Tokyo and Seoul. His last planned trip to Pyongyang was cancelled by President Trump because of the lack of diplomatic progress in the nuclear talks.

Mr Pompeo will brief Chinese officials on his discussions in Pyongyang and is expected to urge Beijing to give its full backing to Mr Trump’s rapprochement with Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader.

However, the visit will also provide Mr Pompeo with an opportunity to try to ease growing tensions over the trade-tariff war between the US and China and the differences over maritime rights in the South China Sea. The near-miss between the US and Chinese destroyers, close to one of the islands that Beijing claims for itself — unlawfully, Washington says — was the latest incident underlining China’s provocative response to the presence of any US or allied warship on the edge of its “territorial waters”.

Mr Mattis had been due to hold talks with his Chinese counterpart in Beijing this month, but the meeting was cancelled last week, with each side claiming that the other had called it off.

Last week China denied a request for USS Wasp, an amphibious assault ship, to make a port visit to Hong Kong, after two American B-52 bombers flew over the East China and South China seas.

Beijing also protested after the US sanctioned the Chinese military’s equipment-development department for buying fighter jets and surface-to-air missiles from Russia.

Mr Pompeo will want to present a tough approach in Beijing but will be under orders from Mr Trump to try to improve relations.

Last week Mr Trump acknowledged that his personal friendship with President Xi may be over. “He may not be a friend of mine anymore but I think he probably respects me,” Mr Trump said.

Mike Pence, the vice-president, claimed yesterday that “China wants a different American president”.

The Times