China should Stick to Code of Conduct at Sea: US Navy Chief

01 November 2018

During his four-country tour of the Indo-Pacific, United States navy chief Admiral John Richardson said China should abide by a code of conduct for unplanned encounters at sea, as this would reduce chances of an incident or potential escalation of tensions if the two navies met. RSIS research fellow Collin Koh said he saw two deliberate intentions in the timing of the visit. The first is to reassure US partners that the US is a stabilising power, not a troublemaker as it is being construed by China. The second is to reassure its partners that the US will continue to maintain its stance on international law and freedom of navigation.

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Last updated on 07/11/2018