[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] According to the Hong Kong media South China Morning Post (SCMP) on the 12th, Chinese authorities have instructed the military not to initiate preemptive fire if they confront U.S. forces in the South China Sea, where military tensions with the U.S. are escalating.
SCMP, citing sources, reported that Chinese military authorities have ordered fighter pilots and naval officers to "exercise restraint in the increasingly frequent confrontations with U.S. forces."
SCMP explained that this measure aims to avoid giving hawkish U.S. factions an opportunity to further escalate tensions in the South China Sea.
The U.S. military recently flew patrol and reconnaissance aircraft in the South China Sea and conducted training twice last month involving two aircraft carriers. China is also conducting flight training in response.
The U.S. has been increasing reconnaissance flights over the South China Sea and the coast of Guangdong Province, and last month conducted training twice with two aircraft carriers in the South China Sea. China is responding by increasing training and flights in the South China Sea.
A source said, "China has communicated to the U.S. through various channels to control the situation," adding, "Issuing a firing order is easy, but neither side can control the outcome. It is made clear that force will be used only as a last resort."
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