US to soon begin patrols around disputed areas in South China Sea, sources say
Washington has notified Southeast Asian nations of its plan to sail warships within 12 nautical miles of artificial islands that China has built, they say
The United States has told nations in Southeast Asia it will send naval vessels soon into what China claims as its territory in the disputed South China Sea, diplomatic sources said on Sunday.
The United States was expected to sail warships within 12 nautical miles of artificial islands that China had created in the Spratly Islands in defiance of opposition from other claimants, such as the Philippines and Vietnam, the sources said.
The 12-nautical-mile zone delimits territorial seas under a UN convention.
Although senior US government officials have hinted at the envisaged naval patrols, conveying the plan to the countries involved through diplomatic channels underscores US President Barack Obama’s strong opposition to the Chinese territorial claims.
The move is likely to escalate tensions between the two countries. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a press conference last week: “We firmly oppose any country using the freedom of navigation and over-flight as an excuse to undermine other countries’ sovereignty and security.”