By: Cid Standifer USNI
May 29, 2017 11:11 AM • Updated:
Over the past three years, the U.S. and China have been at odds over the status of Chinese artificial islands in the South China Sea and U.S. Freedom of Navigation Operations.
The Origin of FON Ops
1979
The U.S. government initiated a Freedom of Navigation Program to contest “unilateral acts of other states designed to restrict the rights and freedom of the international community.” The program includes both maneuvers designed exclusively to challenge maritime claims the U.S. considers excessive, and operations with other purposes that incidentally challenge territorial claims.
Mischief Reef in early 2016. CSIS Asian Maritime Transparency Initiative, DigitalGlobe Image
Đọt Chuối Non 