The Pentagon plans a “show of force” in the South China Sea. They will launch Himars launchers

The US Indo-Pacific Command has issued an order to conduct a demonstration precision strike using the HIMARS system as a “show of force” in response to China's aggressive actions in the disputed waters of the South China Sea, CBS reported. Details of the operation are unknown.

As reported by CBS, the issued order calls for a “precision strike demonstration” in response to the aggressive actions of Beijing's forces against Philippine ships and vessels in the waters of the South China Sea. This “show of force” is to involve firing a missile from the HIMARS rocket artillery system.

However, the television emphasizes that it is not clear what the purpose and location of this strike would be and whether it will take place at all, because the orders can be canceled at any time. Two other sources told the station that surgery is being prepared as a possible option but is unlikely to take place.

The news came less than three hours before the U.S. and Chinese leaders were scheduled to meet in Busan, South Korea.

According to CBS, the demonstration is intended to signal US opposition to China's expanding military presence in the South China Sea and support for the Philippines, against which China is taking aggressive actions.

There were repeated incidents between ships of the two countries, especially around Scarborough Shoal. This is an area over which both Manila and Beijing claim rights – although in 2016 the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled that China's territorial claims in the region are inconsistent with international law. In one of the latest incidents in September, the Chinese Coast Guard used water cannons against Filipino ships in the area of ​​the disputed shoal.

Additionally China declared the area a nature reserve in September, against which both the Philippines and the US protested, accusing Beijing of “another attempt at coercion aimed at pursuing broad territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea at the expense of its neighbors.”

From Washington Oskar Górzyński (PAP)

osk/wr/