Chinese warships and fighters met the US destroyer USS Stethem, which entered the waters of the disputed Xisha Islands (Paracel Islands) in the South China Sea, which Beijing considers its own. This was stated by the Chinese Foreign Ministry, accusing Washington of violating the sovereignty of China, reports
RIA News.
On July 2, the American destroyer USS Stethem entered the waters of the Chinese Xish Islands without permission. China immediately dispatched warships and fighters in order to make a warning to the American ship and force it out of its territorial waters.
- said in a statement to the official representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China Lu Kahn, published on the website of the department.
China expressed strong protest at the actions of the American side and called the entry of the destroyer of the US Navy into the water area of the disputed islands as a serious political and military provocation that threatens the infrastructure and personnel located on Xisha.
Xisha Islands are the original territory of China. The United States, hiding behind the banner of "freedom of navigation," once again sent a warship that voluntarily entered the waters of the Chinese Xisha Islands, violating Chinese laws and the relevant norms of international law, grossly violating China’s sovereignty, undermining peace, security and order in these waters
- noted in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, urging the United States to stop such actions.
American warships regularly enter the disputed territorial waters, China protests in response. The White House previously stated that such actions are designed to protect free shipping in the area.
We remind you that between China, Japan, Vietnam and the Philippines there is a dispute regarding maritime borders and areas of responsibility in the South China and East China Seas. Beijing considers the Xisha and Nansha (Spratly) archipelagoes, which have territorial claims and other countries in the region, its territory, and states that its activities on these islands and in adjacent waters are completely legal and fall under Chinese sovereignty.
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