The Chinese Ministry of Defense called on the United States on Thursday to restrain its frontline troops, which Beijing claims have become more active in the air and sea near China this year. China has repeatedly affirmed that the U.S. military presence in the South China Sea, the East China Sea, and the Taiwan Strait is the main factor destabilizing the region, while the U.S. argues it has freedom of navigation in those areas, which China considers its strategic backyard.
Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Wu Qian stated in a press briefing, reported by Reuters, that since President Joe Biden took office in January, U.S. warship operations in the waters around China have increased by 20%, and U.S. reconnaissance aircraft activity has risen by 40% compared to last year. Wu urged the U.S. to impose strict limits on its frontline forces and adhere to regulations, including the rules of conduct for air and maritime encounters and international regulations to prevent collisions at sea, aiming to avert serious incidents of a similar nature in the future. When Reuters sought a response, the National Security Council referred the request to the U.S. Department of Defense, which declined to comment.
