China Reacts With Anger On The U.S. Naval Destroyer's Route In The South China Sea

Washington Post: China says U.S. naval destroyer sailing close to Chinese-built island damages peace and stability

BEIJING — China denounced what it called an illegal, dangerous and provocative act by the United States Tuesday, after a U.S. warship sailed within 12 nautical miles of an artificial island built by China in the South China Sea.

China said it had monitored, followed and warned the USS Lassen as it passed close to the Subi reef in the Spratly archipelago. But a U.S. defense official said the mission had been completed on Tuesday “without incident.”

The U.S action is intended to uphold the principle of freedom of navigation in the international waters of the South China Sea, U.S. officials said, and underscores that Washington does not accept China’s claim to territorial waters around artificially built islands.

More News On China's Reaction To The US Navy Sailing Within 12 Nautical Miles Of Their Reclaimed Island

Beijing Calls U.S. Warship’s Route in South China Sea a ‘Provocation’ -- NYT
Angry China says shadowed US warship near man-made islands in disputed sea -- Reuters
Irking China, US sends naval destroyer on patrol in South China Sea -- CSM
China condemns U.S. warship's route in South China Sea -- USA Today
China says it warned and tracked U.S. warship in South China Sea -- CNN
China Calls U.S. Challenge Over Island Threat to Regional Peace -- Bloomberg