>>50039582JMSDF ship to join U.S. naval exercises in South China Sea
Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) escort vessel will join a U.S. Navy carrier for joint exercises in the South China Sea to back "freedom of navigation" operations in the region, it was learned on Oct. 28.
The United States on Oct. 27 sent a guided missile destroyer within 12 nautical miles (about 22 kilometers) of an artificial isle built by China in the South China Sea's Spratly Islands, commencing a U.S. effort to preserve freedom of navigation in the area. Beijing claims the Spratlys belong to China, and that the U.S. ship violated its territorial waters.
The inclusion of the MSDF vessel in joint exercises with the U.S. Navy in the South China Sea is viewed as both a demonstration of the strength of the Japan-U.S. alliance, and a check on China.
The MSDF escort vessel Fuyuzuki was part of U.S.-Indian "Exercise Malabar" naval drills that was held from Sept. 26. The Fuyuzuki then accompanied the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier to Singapore's Port of Changi.
According to the Japanese Defense Ministry, an MSDF escort vessel will proceed with a U.S. carrier to waters just north of Borneo in the South China Sea, and participate in communications and ship transfer drills with American forces.
The Japanese escort vessel will operate far from the Chinese artificial island and its 12-nautical-mile "territorial limit." The joint Japan-U.S. exercises could, however, be considered a prelude to wider Japanese monitoring activities in the contested South China Sea. The MSDF escort ship is expected to come back to Japan on Nov. 10, after the joint exercises with the U.S. Navy.
Pic. Fuyuzuki
