Update | Beijing accuses US of ‘serious provocation’ after destroyer sails through disputed South China Sea
USS Mustin’s voyage near Mischief Reef prompts angry response a day after America announced plan to impose US$60 billion tariffs on Chinese imports
China accused America of “serious military provocation” after a US Navy destroyer sailed within 12 nautical miles of an artificial island in the South China Sea – one day after the first move in what could develop into a full-blown trade war between the world’s two largest economies.
Beijing also announced it was staging a naval drill in the disputed waters on Friday, but said it was not targeted at any specific country.
The Chinese defence ministry said the USS Mustin had been “warned off” by two Chinese frigates.
An anonymous US official told Reuters that the destroyer was carrying out a “freedom of navigation” operation, passing within 12 nautical miles of Mischief Reef in the Spratly Islands, where China has built an artificial island.
It was America’s first such operation since January and came a day after US President Donald Trump announced it would levy US$60 billion worth of tariffs on Chinese imports – triggering immediate retaliation from Beijing.