US warship sails near disputed Paracels in South China Sea as trade talks under way in Beijing
- USS McCampbell sailed within 12 nautical miles of the island chain ‘to challenge excessive maritime claims’
- But Pacific Fleet say ‘freedom of navigation’ operation was not about any one country or to make political statement
A US guided-missile destroyer sailed near the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea claimed by China as US officials join talks in Beijing during a truce in a bitter trade war.
The USS McCampbell carried out a “freedom of navigation” operation, sailing within 12 nautical miles of the Paracel Island chain, “to challenge excessive maritime claims”, Pacific Fleet spokeswoman Rachel McMarr said in a statement.
The operation was not about any one country or to make a political statement, McMarr said.
China lodged “stern representations” with the United States over the action, its foreign ministry said on Monday.
Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told a regular briefing that the US operation in the region violated China’s law and urged the United States to stop such actions.
It comes as trade talks between China and the United States are under way in Beijing, the first round of face-to-face discussions since both sides agreed to a 90-day truce in a trade war that has roiled international markets.