A U.S. Navy destroyer sailed near one of the most important man-made and Chinese controlled islands in the South China Sea on Monday, in a freedom of navigation mission that Beijing denounced as illegal.
While the United States frequently makes such voyages to challenge China and other states' territorial claims in the strategic waterway, the latest one took place as Beijing stagedThe U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet said the USS Milius engaged in "normal operations" within 12 nautical miles of Mischief Reef in the Spratly Islands, once a reef submerged at high tide and where China has"Under customary international law ...
"The land reclamation efforts, installations, and structures built on Mischief Reef do not change this characterisation under international law." China's People's Liberation Army said the U.S. ship had "illegally" entered waters near the reef without Chinese approval, and its forces had monitored the vessel and warned it.
"China has indisputable sovereignty over the islands in the South China Sea and the surrounding maritime area," its Southern Theatre Command said.The 7th Fleet said at the end of the operation, the Milius exited the "excessive claim area" and continued operations in the South China Sea.of the same ship, which China said had entered its territorial waters in the South China Sea near the Paracel Islands.
Reporting by Beijing newsroom; Writing by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Jamie Freed and Clarence Fernandez
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
US Navy says destroyer conducts navigational rights mission in S. China SeaThe U.S. Navy said its guided-missile destroyer USS Milius conducted a navigational rights and freedoms mission in the South China Sea near the Spratly Islands on Monday.
Read more »
US Navy says destroyer conducts navigational rights mission in South China SeaThe U.S. Navy said its guided-missile destroyer USS Milius conducted a navigational rights and freedoms mission in the South China Sea near the Spratly Islands on Monday.
Read more »
Malaysia says it will protect its rights in South China SeaMalaysia said on Saturday it was firmly committed to protecting its sovereign rights and interests in the South China Sea after China expressed concern about Malaysian energy projects in a part of the sea that China also claims.
Read more »
Chinese planes cross Taiwan Strait median line as angry China starts drillsForty-two Chinese fighter jets briefly crossed the sensitive median line of the Taiwan Strait on Saturday as China began drills around Taiwan in anger at President Tsai Ing-wen's meeting with the US House Speaker.
Read more »
Japan, China meet to discuss maritime concerns as Beijing simulates attack on TaiwanSenior Japanese and Chinese government officials met on Monday to discuss maritime concerns in disputed waters in the East China Sea as Beijing conducted wargames around Taiwan.
Read more »