South China Sea: US destroyer sails near Spratly Islands to ‘assert navigational rights’
- Chinese military says American warship left when warned by PLA
- Taiwan and Vietnam called out by the US Navy for requiring notice for ‘innocent passage’
In a statement on Tuesday afternoon, Tian Junli, spokesman for the Chinese People’s Liberation Army’s Southern Theatre Command, said the destroyer USS John S. McCain sailed near the Spratly Islands, which China calls the Nansha Islands.
“China is resolutely opposed to this kind of behaviour from the US that harms China’s sovereignty and security, which also seriously disrupts the peace and stability in the South China Sea,” Tian said, adding that the destroyer was driven away after it was warned by the PLA.
A statement from the US Pacific Fleet Commander confirmed the exercise took place on Tuesday.
“On December 22, USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) asserted navigational rights and freedoms in the Spratly Islands, consistent with international law,” the statement said.