US commanders said that yesterday a Chinese observation ship closely followed the USS John C. Stennis carrier the moment it entered the disputed South China Sea region, again heightening tensions in the area; the US ship was joining warships from Japan and India for drills near the waters. “There is a Chinese vessel about seven to 10 miles away,” Captain Gregory C. Huffman, commander of the Stennis, told reporters aboard the carrier after it recovered its F-18 jet fighters taking part in the exercise. Japan also said yesterday that a separate Chinese navy observation ship entered its territorial waters south of its southern Kyushu island. The Japanese government has been trying to calm down public opinion over the issue by saying that there is no need to be concerned about any potential military clash between the two countries.
US commanders said that yesterday a Chinese observation ship closely followed the USS John C. Stennis carrier the moment it entered the disputed South China Sea region, again heightening tensions in the area; the US ship was joining warships from Japan and India for drills near the waters. Japan also said yesterday that a separate Chinese navy observation ship entered its territorial waters south of its southern Kyushu island. The Japanese government has been trying to calm down public opinion over the issue by saying that there is no need to be concerned about any potential military clash between the two countries.