U.S. Seeks to Expand China Navy Code to Coast Guard, Swift Says
A China Coast Guard ship (top) blocks a Philippine boat from reaching a reef in South China Sea claimed by both countries in 2014.
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The U.S. is seeking to expand the use of protocols agreed with China to avoid flare-ups during unexpected naval encounters to include Chinese coast guard vessels, the commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet said.
The U.S. and China have agreed to a naval code of conduct that is “working quite well,” Admiral Scott Swift said on a conference call from Kuala Lumpur. “The U.S. is interested in expanding this mechanism to the Chinese coast guard, as well.”