By Susan Heavey, Daphne Psaledakis and David Brunnstrom WASHINGTON, Aug 26 (Reuters) - The United States on Wednesday blacklisted 24 Chinese companies and targeted individuals it said were part of construction and military actions in the South China Sea, its first such sanctions move against Beijing over the disputed strategic waterway. The U.S. Commerce Department said the … [Read more...]
U.S. Aircraft Carriers Return to South China Sea Amid Rising Tensions
By James Pearson HANOI, July 17 (Reuters) - For the second time in two weeks, the United States has deployed two aircraft carriers to the South China Sea, the U.S. Navy said on Friday, as China and the United States accuse each other of stoking tensions in the region. The USS Nimitz and USS Ronald Reagan carried out operations and military exercises in the contested waterway … [Read more...]
U.S. Says Room for Sanctions in Response to China in South China Sea
By Humeyra Pamuk and David Brunnstrom WASHINGTON, July 14 (Reuters) - The top U.S. diplomat for East Asia warned on Tuesday that Washington could respond with sanctions against Chinese officials and enterprises involved in coercion in the South China Sea after the United States announced a tougher stance to Beijing's claims there. "Nothing is off the table ... there is room … [Read more...]
U.S. Navy Aircraft Carriers Conduct South China Sea Drills as China Watches
By Tim Kelly TOKYO, July 6 (Reuters) - Two U.S. Navy aircraft carriers are conducting exercises in the contested South China Sea within sight of Chinese naval vessels spotted near the flotilla, the commander of one of the carriers, the USS Nimitz, told Reuters on Monday. "They have seen us and we have seen them," Rear Admiral James Kirk said in a telephone interview from the … [Read more...]
Petronas Drillship Leaves South China Sea Waters After Standoff
By Rozanna Latiff and A. Ananthalakshmi KUALA LUMPUR, May 12 (Reuters) - An oil exploration vessel contracted by Malaysian state energy company Petronas that was involved in a standoff with a Chinese survey vessel in the South China Sea left the disputed waters on Tuesday, three security sources and the vessel operator said. Petronas has been conducting exploration … [Read more...]