Chinese warships and fighter jets sent to warn off US destroyer in South China Sea, Beijing says
Deployment made in response to unauthorised entry into China’s territorial waters, defence ministry says
Beijing sent warships and fighter jets to warn off a US naval destroyer that sailed close to a disputed island in the South China Sea, calling the passage a serious provocation that strained bilateral ties.
The latest “freedom of navigation” operation by the United States came just days before the leaders of the two countries are due to meet at a G20 summit in Germany.
In response, China dispatched three warships, including the Luoyang and Suqian missile frigates, and two J-11B fighter jets, ministry spokesman Wu Qian said in a statement on Monday.
The US move “seriously damaged the strategic trust between China and the US, sabotaged the political atmosphere for a better military-to-military relations, put the safety of frontline officers and soldiers in danger and undermined the peace and stability in the region”, Wu said.
The USS Stethem passed less than 12 nautical miles (22km) from Triton Island, which is also claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam, according to the Pentagon.