Beijing slams lack of answers after US claims nuclear submarine hit uncharted seamount in Indo-Pacific
China has criticized an âambiguousâ report by the US Navy in which the 7th Fleet said its nuclear submarine collided with an âuncharted seamountâ in the Indo-Pacific. Beijing says many questions remain unanswered.
Speaking on Tuesday during a regular press briefing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin repeated Beijingâs âserious concernâ about an October incident in which the USS âConnecticutâ, a nuclear-powered Seawolf-class fast-attack submarine, struck an âunidentified objectâ while submerged near China.
Wang claimed the American statement, which was published on Monday, does not adequately explain the events that took place, but âfully exposes the opacity and irresponsibility of the United States.â
The spokesman contended that a nuclear submarine crash was of great concern for all nations in the region, and the US owes them all an explanation. He claimed the US also deliberately blurred the location of the incident and described it as âinternational waters in the Indo-Pacific region.â The US Naval Institute said in October that the vessel was operating in the Chinese-claimed South China Sea at the time of the crash.
Also on rt.com Still waiting for answers: China says Asia Pacific nations are losing trust in US as Washington stays quiet on nuclear sub crashWang urged the US to elaborate on the accident and fully respond to the concerns and doubts of the countries in the region. âThe key is to stop sending warships and military aircraft to provoke troubles, show off force, and stop actions that damage the sovereignty and security of other countries,â he noted, adding that future accidents could be worse.
China has previously urged the US to explain what the submarine was doing in the South China Sea and whether there was any nuclear debris.
On Monday, the US 7th Fleet released a short report noting that the nuclear-powered submarine had âgrounded on an uncharted seamount.â The statement added that âCommander, US 7th Fleet will determine whether follow-on actions â" including accountability â" are appropriate.â
A week after the crash, the US said the vessel was in a âsafe and stableâ condition. It has since sailed to Guam for repairs. The US has said no damage was caused to the subâs nuclear propulsion plant.
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