U.S. destroyer sails into S. China Sea area claimed by China

A U.S. Navy destroyer sailed through a South China Sea area claimed by China on Saturday under what the Pentagon has termed a "freedom of navigation operation."


In the second such navigation under the operation that came to light last October, the destroyer was dispatched to within 12 nautical miles (22 kilometers) of Triton Island in the Paracel Islands, the Defense Department said.

• In Beijing, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun issued a statement saying the United States' "grave misconduct" has destroyed peace and stability of this sea and expressing "resolute opposition" against such action.

Yang said the Chinese army will take all necessary measures against any act of provocation by the United States.

China, Vietnam and Taiwan claim Triton, which the U.S. media say is virtually controlled by China.

China lodged a protest with the United States after the dispatch last October of a destroyer equipped with the Aegis combat system into a South China Sea area claimed by Beijing as Chinese territorial waters.

The deepened discord between the United States and China over the South China Sea could have negative effects on efforts by the U.N. Security Council to put together a tough response against North Korea for conducting another nuclear test in early January.
==Kyodo
30/1/16
--
-
Related:

• A US warship has sailed near a disputed island in the South China Sea to challenge efforts to limit freedom of access, the Pentagon said...

--

• Test flight to S China Sea airport falls within sovereignty (Chinese FM)

• China accuses US of B-52 'provocation' over Spratly Islands

• China demands US stop 'provocations' in S. China Sea

• China's defence minister urges not to play up South China Sea issues

---