"US Incident Cover-up, Regional Security Threat"
US Navy Emphasizes "Submarine Stable Condition"
[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The Chinese government pressured the U.S. government to clarify the exact cause and background of the incident in which a U.S. nuclear-powered submarine collided with an unidentified object in international waters of the South China Sea. China claims that the U.S. government is deliberately concealing the incident and threatening China's security.
On the 20th, Tan Kefei, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of National Defense, stated in a comment, "China expresses serious concern over this incident and demands an explanation from the United States," adding, "As a party involved, the U.S. has the responsibility and obligation to provide detailed information about the situation related to the incident." Tan criticized, "The U.S. is dispatching aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines to the South China Sea under the pretext of 'freedom of navigation,' demonstrating military power and threatening the security of regional countries," and urged, "The U.S. should stop reconnaissance of the reef areas in the South China Sea and the deployment of military forces targeting China."
He continued, "The fact that the U.S. revealed the submarine collision incident five days after it occurred is irresponsible, and attempts to conceal it are likely to cause misunderstandings and misjudgments," strongly condemning, "China and the surrounding countries of the South China Sea cannot help but doubt the truth of the incident and the intentions of the U.S."
Earlier, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs also demanded disclosure of the specific location of the incident and whether there was any leakage of nuclear material. On the 11th, Zhao Lijian, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, urged at a regular briefing, "The U.S. should clearly disclose where exactly the nuclear submarine accident occurred, whether the accident caused leakage of nuclear material and damaged the marine environment, and whether the accident could affect navigation safety and fisheries in the area where it happened."
Previously, the U.S. Navy announced on the 7th through a press release that the Seawolf-class nuclear submarine USS Connecticut collided with an unidentified object on the afternoon of the 2nd while operating in international waters of the Indo-Pacific. The U.S. Navy emphasized, "There were no injuries threatening lives, and the submarine is in a safe and stable condition."
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