Kirby: USS Ronald Reagan to remain in Western Pacific amid tensions

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
5 Aug 2022 00:23
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The US ignores all warnings from China, allows the US House Speaker to visit Taiwan, and then claims China is destabilizing Asia.

National Security Council Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby

National Security Council Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby said on Thursday that the US condemned China's missile launches near Japan's exclusive economic zone as part of military drills following US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan.

"I'm sure all of you that covered overnight, the People's Republic of China launched an estimated 11 ballistic missiles towards Taiwan which impacted the northeast, the east, and southeast of the island. We condemn these actions which are irresponsible and at odds with our long-standing goal of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the region," Kirby told a briefing.

Kirby also called China's response to Pelosi's violation of the One China Policy an "overreaction", claiming that China had used Pelosi's visit as an excuse to increase "provocative military activity in and around the Taiwan Strait."

USS Ronald Reagan to remain in Western Pacific

Kirby announced that US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered USS Ronald Reagan, a nuclear-powered US Navy supercarrier, and its strike group to remain in the Western Pacific amid rising tensions over Taiwan.

"We will not be deterred from operating in the seas and skies of the Western Pacific consistent with the international law, as we have for decades supporting Taiwan and defending a free and open Indo-Pacific," Kirby said.

He insisted that the US "will conduct standard air and maritime transits through Taiwan Strait in the next few weeks, consistent again with our long-standing approach to defending the freedom of the seas and international law. And we will take further steps to demonstrate our commitment to the security of our allies in the region, that includes Japan."

Minuteman III missile test delayed

Furthermore, the spokesperson confirmed that Washington has delayed its Minuteman III missile test given the increased tensions with China over Taiwan.

"The United States will be resolute but also steady and responsible. We do not believe it is in our interests, Taiwan's interests, the region's interests to allow tensions to escalate further, which is why a long plan Minuteman three ICBM test scheduled for this week has been rescheduled for the near future," Kirby told reporters.

This is being said despite China's warning on August 2 clearly stating that "the US side will bear the responsibility and pay the price for undermining China's sovereign security interests."

The US denied that Pelosi's visit affected the Three Joint Communiqués, especially the one noting the One China Policy, and Kirby alleged that "as China engages in destabilizing military exercises around Taiwan, the United States is demonstrating instead, the behavior of a responsible nuclear power by reducing the risks of miscalculation and misperception. We will continue to demonstrate transparency in our US ballistic missile tests through timely notifications."

Earlier today, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying said the Chinese military drills off the coast of Taiwan were a warning to separatists but will not harm those who oppose the island's independence.

Kirby comments on potential prisoner swap with Russia

In another context, according to John Kirby, discussions are ongoing at various levels about a prospective prisoner exchange for Paul Whelan and Brittney Griner with Russia.

"I’m not gonna negotiate in public. Conversations are ongoing at various levels. And I'll just leave it at that," Kirby told a briefing.

A Russian court had earlier today sentenced American basketball star Terry Griner to 9 years in prison for smuggling and possessing drugs into Russia.

The court "found the defendant guilty" of smuggling and possessing "a significant amount of narcotics," judge Anna Sotnikova told a court in the town of Khimki just outside Moscow.