Beijing: China has expressed its willingness to provide humanitarian assistance to the United States following two separate U.S. Navy aircraft crashes in the South China Sea, a region already marked by ongoing geopolitical tensions.
According to reports, both incidents occurred on Sunday and involved aircraft operating from the USS Nimitz, one of the U.S. Navy’s major aircraft carriers deployed in the area. The first accident involved an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter, while the second, happening less than an hour later, involved an F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet.
All personnel involved in both crashes were safely rescued, and the U.S. Pacific Fleet confirmed that everyone is in stable condition. Investigations are now underway to determine the cause of the incidents. U.S. President Donald J. Trump said early findings suggest that “bad fuel” may have contributed to the twin accidents.
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, said that Beijing had “noted relevant reports” and would offer “necessary humanitarian assistance” if requested by Washington. However, he also reiterated China’s longstanding position that frequent U.S. military operations in the South China Sea pose risks to regional peace and stability.
The South China Sea remains one of the most sensitive and heavily disputed maritime zones in the world. China claims almost the entire area, overlapping with territorial waters of several Southeast Asian nations. The U.S. routinely conducts naval operations there, emphasizing freedom of navigation and open sea access, a stance that has often drawn criticism from Beijing.
Analysts view China’s offer of assistance as a rare diplomatic gesture amid the strained ties between the two powers. While the move highlights a willingness to cooperate on humanitarian grounds, it also underscores Beijing’s intent to project a message of responsibility and control in regional affairs.
As investigations continue, the U.S. Navy is expected to release additional details about the cause of the crashes. Both nations remain cautious in their public statements, aware that even accidental incidents in such contested waters could carry wider strategic implications.
The episode comes at a time when the South China Sea is once again under close international scrutiny, serving as a reminder of how military activity and diplomatic posturing remain tightly interwoven in the region’s complex security landscape.