US-China tensionsUS and China dig in heels for Indo-Pacific show of strength
Beijing fires missiles into South China Sea, while Esper tours region
Chinese military vehicles carrying DF-21D anti-ship ballistic missiles, potentially capable of sinking a U.S. Nimitz-class aircraft carrier in a single strike, pass by Tiananmen Gate during a military parade. © AP
TSUKASA HADANO and TSUYOSHI NAGASAWA, Nikkei staff writers
August 28, 2020 05:16 JST
BEIJING/WASHINGTON -- Sino-American tensions in the Indo-Pacific region have risen to heights not seen in decades as China fired four ballistic missiles into the South China Sea on Wednesday, while U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper embarked on a trip to Hawaii, Guam and Palau, where he will visit naval ships taking part in a massive maritime exercise.