(MENAFN) Beijing has cautioned that frequent military exercises in the South China Sea are heightening maritime security risks, following two separate U.S. Navy aircraft crashes in the region on Sunday.

“The US is flexing its muscles by sending military aircraft into the South China Sea frequently, and this serves as a root cause for sabotaging regional peace and stability and maritime security issues,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said during a press briefing in Beijing.

According to reports, a U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet and an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter went down in unrelated incidents while conducting routine operations.

Guo added, “If the United States have any request, then China will provide necessary assistance out of humanitarianism.”

The MH-60R Sea Hawk, from the Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 73 “Battle Cats,” crashed around 2:45 p.m. local time. All three crew members were rescued, according to the U.S. Pacific Fleet. Shortly after, the Super Hornet fighter, assigned to the “Fighting Redcocks” of Strike Fighter Squadron 22, also crashed during operations. Its two crew members safely ejected and were recovered by rescue teams from Carrier Strike Group 11.

“All personnel involved are safe and in stable condition. The cause of both incidents is currently under investigation,” the U.S. Navy stated.

Commenting on broader regional tensions, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said at the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur, “On the South China Sea, it is regrettable that incidents continue to occur in the West Philippine Sea which endanger the lives of Philippine personnel and compromise the safety of our vessels and aircraft.”

Responding to those remarks, Guo said the South China Sea is the “common home for China and ASEAN countries,” emphasizing that “the peace and stability across the South China Sea” must be preserved collectively. He also claimed that “the provocative actions of the Philippines is the root causes for tensions.”

Beijing has cautioned that frequent military exercises in the South China Sea are heightening maritime security risks, following two separate U.S. Navy aircraft crashes in the region on Sunday.

“The US is flexing its muscles by sending military aircraft into the South China Sea frequently, and this serves as a root cause for sabotaging regional peace and stability and maritime security issues,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said during a press briefing in Beijing.

According to reports, a U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet and an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter went down in unrelated incidents while conducting routine operations.
Guo added, “If the United States have any request, then China will provide necessary assistance out of humanitarianism.”

The MH-60R Sea Hawk, from the Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 73 “Battle Cats,” crashed around 2:45 p.m. local time. All three crew members were rescued, according to the U.S. Pacific Fleet. Shortly after, the Super Hornet fighter, assigned to the “Fighting Redcocks” of Strike Fighter Squadron 22, also crashed during operations. Its two crew members safely ejected and were recovered by rescue teams from Carrier Strike Group 11.

“All personnel involved are safe and in stable condition. The cause of both incidents is currently under investigation,” the U.S. Navy stated.

Commenting on broader regional tensions, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said at the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur, “On the South China Sea, it is regrettable that incidents continue to occur in the West Philippine Sea which endanger the lives of Philippine personnel and compromise the safety of our vessels and aircraft.”

Responding to those remarks, Guo said the South China Sea is the “common home for China and ASEAN countries,” emphasizing that “the peace and stability across the South China Sea” must be preserved collectively. He also claimed that “the provocative actions of the Philippines is the root causes for tensions.”

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