Beijing insists on ‘indisputable sovereignty’ over South China Sea islands as US warships test troubled waters
- Second US ‘freedom of navigation’ exercise in five weeks stokes Chinese anger
- Contested waters become another front in trade war between economic rivals
China voiced its “strong dissatisfaction” with the United States on Monday, after Washington sent two warships to disputed waters near islands in the South China Sea and as negotiators prepared to resume talks on ending the trade war between the two countries.
Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said the PLA Navy warned the USS Spruance and USS Preble against approaching Chinese-claimed territory in the Spratly Islands.
She demanded the US “immediately stop its provocative actions” after the two US guided-missile destroyers conducted what Washington called “freedom of navigation” exercises in the area.
China’s warning came as officials from both sides were in Beijing to prepare for more trade talks this week. They will try to reach a deal before a March 1 deadline after which the US has threatened to increase tariffs on US$200 billion worth of Chinese imports.
Beijing lays claim to most of the energy-rich South China Sea, as do several of its neighbours, including Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan.
“The relevant actions of the US warships violated Chinese sovereignty and undermined peace, security and order in the relevant sea areas,” Hua said. “The Chinese side expresses strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition.”