By Christopher P. Cavas
WASHINGTON — Adm. John Richardson, the US Navy’s chief of naval operations (CNO), and Chinese Navy chief Adm. Wu Shengli will speak tomorrow via video teleconference (VTC) — a conversation likely to be concentrated on issues in the wake of the transit Monday of a US destroyer through disputed territorial waters in the South China Sea.
A US official confirmed the discussion will take place.
“This call was not scheduled, but agreed upon between the two naval staffs in light of current events,” the official said Wednesday.
Tensions have risen between the two countries after the passage Monday of the US destroyer Lassen through waters in the South China Sea claimed by China.
The Lassen passed within 12 nautical miles of an artificial island newly built by China on Mischief Reef near the Spratly Islands. The region is known to the Chinese as the Nansha Islands.
Read the full story at DefenseNews