US' provocative naval actions result of its zero-sum Cold War mentality

THE UNITED STATES Navy reportedly plans to conduct "freedom of navigation" operations in the waters around China's built-up islands and reefs in the South China Sea about twice every three months. It comes a week after the guided missile destroyer USS Lassen sailed near China's Zhubi Reef without the permission of the Chinese government. Comments:

Separated by the Pacific Ocean, China and the US share no borders and thus are unlikely to become embroiled in confrontations. But the US policy, which is based on its worldwide military alliances and free global deployment, makes the country "obliged" to enhance its military hegemony and the so-called freedom of navigation operations despite the risks. Driven by a zero-sum mentality and power politics, the illegal entry of the USS Lassen in Chinese waters is a muscle-flexing attempt to threaten China, which should never be allowed to happen again.

He Yafei, vice-minister of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council and a former deputy foreign minister, Nov 3