US patrol flights over South China Sea drop 30% as focus shifts to Middle East

US land-based reconnaissance aircraft sorties over the China-sea" class="entity-link entity-location" data-entity-id="8346" data-entity-type="location">South China Sea decreased by around 30 per cent month on month in February, according to a Beijing-based think tank, as the US deploys assets to the Middle East.The China-sea" class="entity-link entity-location" data-entity-id="8346" data-entity-type="location">South China Sea Strategic Situation Probing Initiative (SCSPI) said on Monday that only 72 US reconnaissance aircraft sorties were detected over the China-sea" class="entity-link entity-location" data-entity-id="8346" data-entity-type="location">South China Sea in February. By contrast, 102 US reconnaissance aircraft sorties were observed over the waters in both January and December.The think tank’s analysis did not discuss the reasons behind the drop. However, the US moved military assets from around the globe to the Middle East last month ahead of its attack on Iran – a build-up some analysts have called the biggest in the region since 2003.US-China relations are in a critical period as the two countries prepare for a summit between their leaders. The White House said last month that US President Donald Trump would visit China from March 31 to April 2 – the first such trip by a US president in nine years.Beijing has not officially announced Trump’s visit, but the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the two countries had “communicated” about the visit.According to analysts, the two sides are creating a favourable atmosphere for talks and seeking leverage.05:20US-Israeli strikes intensify in Iran as Trump warns of more casualtiesUS-Israeli strikes intensify in Iran as Trump warns of more casualties