Two Navy ships have been deployed to the South China Sea amid tensions between China and Malaysia, according to Reuters.
Last week the Haiyang Dizhi 8, a Chinese government research ship, was seen conducting a survey near an exploration vessel operated by Malaysia’s state oil company Petronas. Months earlier the ship was seen making a similar patrol off Vietnam.
The U.S. called on China to stop their “bullying behavior” in the South China Sea. China has denied allegations of a standoff.
The USS America amphibious assault ship and the USS Bunker Hill, a guided missile cruiser, are now deployed and operating in the South China Sea.
“Through our continued operational presence in the South China Sea, we are working … to promote freedom of navigation and overflight, and the international principles that underpin security and prosperity for the Indo-Pacific,” U.S. Indo-Pacific Command spokeswoman Nicole Schwegman told Reuters.
The Department of Defense did not immediately respond to an inquiry from The Hill.