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US Navy investigators have recognized the “unknown object” that collided with a submarine within the South China Sea in October – an uncharted underwater mountain.
The USS Connecticut was in a “protected and secure situation” after the incident within the disputed waters, which provoked outrage from officers in China.
However the threat of fallout following harm to the nuclear-powered submarine allegedly led to the US deploying a so-called “nuke sniffer” airplane to establish any leakage – leakage which the US denied occurred.
A US Navy spokesman mentioned: “The investigation decided USS Connecticut grounded on an uncharted seamount whereas working in worldwide waters within the Indo-Pacific area.”
Chinese language navy specialists cited by state-owned information outlet International Occasions mentioned that the US assertion was disappointing and expressed concern about nuclear leakage.
Wang Wenbin, a spokesperson for the Chinese language international affairs ministry, complained that the US assertion was deliberately equivocating concerning the placement of the incident – with potential leakage inflicting a threat to the nations in that space.
“The hot button is that the US navy ought to cease sending warships and warplanes in every single place, displaying its navy muscle tissue and violating different nations’ safety. If not, this type of accident will solely happen extra usually,” he mentioned, in keeping with the International Occasions.
US Navy officers mentioned two sailors had sustained average accidents and 9 minor accidents, resembling bruises and scrapes.
They mentioned the sub headed in the direction of port at Guam after the incident, and that it was not introduced sooner as a way to keep operational safety.
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On the day of the collision there was an uncommon variety of Chinese language plane lively within the area as tensions over the sovereignty of Taiwan proceed to rise.
In an obvious shift in long-standing coverage, Joe Biden just lately mentioned that the US would defend Taiwan if it was attacked by China.
The president mentioned America had “a dedication” to go to the help of the island, which has complained of mounting navy and political strain by Beijing, which stakes a territorial declare.
Nevertheless, the White Home later mentioned there had been no change in stance.
Washington has lengthy adopted a coverage of “strategic ambiguity” on whether or not it will intervene militarily to guard Taiwan within the occasion of a Chinese language assault.
However requested at a city corridor assembly if the US would become involved, Mr Biden mentioned: “Sure, now we have a dedication to do this.”
Again in August, an administration official was pressured to insist that American coverage on Taiwan had not modified after the president appeared to recommend the US would defend the island within the face of aggression.
Following Mr Biden’s newest feedback, a spokesman mentioned: “We’ll proceed to assist Taiwan’s self-defence, and we’ll proceed to oppose any unilateral adjustments to the established order.”
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