What Did The US And Chinese Warships Say To Each Other In The South China Sea

The US Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen sails in the Pacific Ocean in a November 2009 photo provided by the U.S. Navy. REUTERS/US Navy/CPO John Hageman/Handout via Reuters

Reuters: 'Hope to see you again': China warship to U.S. destroyer after South China Sea patrol

As soon as the guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen breached 12-nautical-mile territorial limits around one of China's man-made islands in the disputed South China Sea last week, a Chinese warship shadowing its movements began demanding answers.

"'Hey, you are in Chinese waters. What is your intention?'," it asked, as recounted to reporters on Thursday by Commander Robert Francis, commanding officer of the Lassen.

His crew replied that they were operating in accordance with international law, and intended to transit past the island, carrying out what U.S. officials have called a freedom-of-navigation exercise designed to challenge China's claims to the strategic waterway.

The response from the Chinese destroyer?

More News On What Did The US And Chinese Warships Say To Each Other In The South China Sea

USS Lassen CO Describes Encounters With Chinese Ships -- FOX News
Where Conflict, Convention Meet: USS Lassen Commander Discusses South China Sea Dispute -- WSJ
'We got pizza and wings': US and Chinese warships talk turkey in South China Sea -- The Guardian
Gunboat diplomacy: US skipper recalls chummy exchanges with Chinese -- Inquirer.net
'Hey, what are you guys doing this Saturday?': Skipper of US destroyer recalls exchanges with Chinese -- First Post
Opinion: USS Lassen’s Transit of Subi Reef Was Not So ‘Innocent’ -- Capt. Anthony Cowden, USN, USNI