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USS John S. McCain Conducts Freedom of Navigation Operation in South China Sea

22 December 2020

From 7th Fleet Public Affairs

On Dec. 22, USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) asserted navigational rights and freedoms in the Spratly Islands, consistent with international law. This freedom of navigation operation (“FONOP”) upheld the rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of the sea recognized in international law by challenging restrictions on innocent passage imposed by China, Vietnam, and Taiwan.

SOUTH CHINA SEA (Dec. 22, 2020) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) transits through South China Sea while conducting routine underway operations. McCain is forward-deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Markus Castaneda)
SLIDESHOW | images | 201222-N-WI365-1008 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Dec. 22, 2020) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) transits through South China Sea while conducting routine underway operations. McCain is forward-deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
SOUTH CHINA SEA (Dec. 22, 2020) Navigator Lt. j.g. Daniel Feeney, left, from Old Greenwich, Connecticut, and Quartermaster 2nd Class Asah Favors, from Suffolk, Virginia, review the ship’s course on the voyage management system (VMS) while standing watch in the pilot house as the guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) conducts routine underway operations. McCain is forward-deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Markus Castaneda)
SLIDESHOW | images | 201222-N-WI365-1019 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Dec. 22, 2020) Navigator Lt. j.g. Daniel Feeney, left, from Old Greenwich, Connecticut, and Quartermaster 2nd Class Asah Favors, from Suffolk, Virginia, review the ship’s course on the voyage management system (VMS) while standing watch in the pilot house as the guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) conducts routine underway operations. McCain is forward-deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
SOUTH CHINA SEA (Dec. 22, 2020) Conning Officer Ensign Joseph Hurd, from Foley, Alabama, gives course and speed orders to the helm while standing watch on the bridge wing as the guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) conducts routine underway operations. McCain is forward-deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Markus Castaneda)
SLIDESHOW | images | 201222-N-WI365-1014 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Dec. 22, 2020) Conning Officer Ensign Joseph Hurd, from Foley, Alabama, gives course and speed orders to the helm while standing watch on the bridge wing as the guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) conducts routine underway operations. McCain is forward-deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

All interactions with foreign military forces were consistent with international norms and did not impact the operation.

Unlawful and sweeping maritime claims in the South China Sea pose a serious threat to the freedom of the seas, including the freedoms of navigation and overflight, free trade and unimpeded commerce, and freedom of economic opportunity for South China Sea littoral nations.

The United States challenges excessive maritime claims around the world regardless of the identity of the claimant. The international law of the sea as reflected in the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention provides for certain rights and freedoms and other lawful uses of the sea to all nations. The international community has an enduring role in preserving the freedom of the seas, which is critical to global security, stability, and prosperity.

The United States upholds freedom of navigation as a principle. As long as some countries continue to assert maritime claims that are inconsistent with international law as reflected in the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention and that purport to restrict unlawfully the rights and freedoms guaranteed to all States, the United States will continue to defend those rights and freedoms. No member of the international community should be intimidated or coerced into giving up their rights and freedoms.

China, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei, and the Philippines each claim sovereignty over some or all of the Spratly Islands. China, Vietnam, and Taiwan require either permission or advance notification before a foreign military vessel engages in “innocent passage” through the territorial sea. Under international law as reflected in the Law of the Sea Convention, the ships of all States –including their warships –enjoy the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea. The unilateral imposition of any authorization or advance-notification requirement for innocent passage is not permitted by international law, so the United States challenged these requirements. By engaging in innocent passage without giving prior notification to or asking permission from any of the claimants, the United States challenged the unlawful restrictions imposed by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam. The United States demonstrated that innocent passage may not be subject to such restrictions.

U.S. forces operate in the South China Sea on a daily basis, as they have for more than a century. They routinely operate in close coordination with like-minded allies and partners who share our commitment to uphold a free and open international order that promotes security and prosperity. All of our operations are designed to be conducted in accordance with international law and demonstrate that the United States will fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows –regardless of the location of excessive maritime claims and regardless of current events.

Summaries of U.S. freedom of navigation assertions are released publicly in the annual “DoD Freedom of Navigation Report.” Past reports are available online at https://policy.defense.gov/OUSDP-Offices/FON/

  
 

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