The US military disputes Vietnam's rights to a part of the South China Sea around the resort island. Therefore, on Thursday, the US Navy destroyer "John McCain" carried out an operation in the area to ensure freedom of navigation.
The press service of the 7th fleet United States Navy.
US guided missile destroyer John McCain challenged Vietnam's "excessive claims" over the South China Sea about 150 miles south of Ho Chi Minh City, where the Con Dao archipelago is located.
It consists of 16 islands, most of which are uninhabited. The main island of the Kon Son archipelago is home to several beach resorts and fishing villages.
The ship conducted routine operations in Vietnam's declared territorial waters to challenge its excessive maritime claims and maintain access and freedom of navigation in accordance with international law.
- said in the message of the press service of the 7th Fleet of the US Navy.
Vietnam claims that its maritime domain extends to Kon Dao. But a 1983 US State Department report said the islands were "not close enough to mainland Vietnam" to be considered the baseline of its territorial waters.
As you can see, in this case, too, the United States is trying to position itself in the role of the world gendarme - and even where no one asks for "assistance" at all.