U.S.: Losing access to China-claimed waters would be huge

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Rod McGuirk, The Associated Press

US Marine MK-58 Hawker Hunter fighter jets (R) fly over an assault amphibious vehicle (AAV) during an amphibious landing exercise as part of annual joint US-Philippines naval exercises facing the South China Sea at a naval training center in San Marcelino, north of Manila on October 9, 2015. The Philippines in late August asked the US to provide military “assistance” in resupplying and rotating Manila’s forces in the South China Sea because they face harassment from regional power China, a military spokesman said. AFP PHOTO / TED ALJIBE (Photo credit should read TED ALJIBE/AFP/Getty Images)

CANBERRA, Australia — A U.S. Navy commander warned Wednesday that if the United States lost access to international waters claimed by China in the South China Sea, it would have far-reaching implications beyond military.

U.S. Pacific Fleet commander Adm. Scott H. Swift told a conference on Indo-Pacific maritime security on Wednesday that sailing warships in freedom of navigation operations through contested areas where multiple countries have competing territorial claims was “not a naval issue.” He said the issue is the impact on the global economy and international law.

But he said that the United States has no expectation that such a loss of access would ever occur.

The U.S. Navy has angered China by sending warships close to artificial islands built by Beijing that include airstrips and radar stations. The U.S. lays no claims to the waters, but says it has an interest in ensuring freedom of navigation and overflight and peaceful resolution of ownership disputes.

U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander Adm. Scott H. Swift addresses a conference on Wednesday, March 16, 2016, in Canberra, Australia. Swift said if the United States lost access to international waters claimed by China in the South China Sea, it would have far-reaching implications beyond military. (AP Photo/Rod McGuirk)

U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander Adm. Scott H. Swift addresses a conference on March 16, 2016, in Canberra, Australia. Swift said if the United States lost access to international waters claimed by China in the South China Sea, it would have far-reaching implications beyond military.

Photo Credit: Rod McGuirk/AP

Swift said there was a “palpable sense” that an attitude of “might makes right” was returning to the region after 70 years of security and stability since World War II.

While the United States was increasing its military presence in the region as part of its pivot to Asia, Swift said there was no need for more U.S. naval facilities in countries such as Australia.

“There’s no real necessity, in fact it become a facilities burden, if we were to expand in some other way. That’s not something that I would support,” Swift said.

Australia is increasing its defense ties with the United States, its most important strategic ally, as tensions and a military build-up mount in the South China Sea.

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Rod McGuirk, The Associated Press