U.S. Warship Sails Near Island Claimed By China In The South China Sea

USS Curtis Wilbur -- a guided missile destroyer -- sailed near Triton Island in the Paracel Islands (AFP Photo/John Sullivan)

CNN: U.S. Navy sends ship near disputed island in South China Sea

(CNN)The U.S. Navy sent a ship near a contested island in the South China Sea on Saturday to challenge "excessive maritime claims that restrict the rights and freedoms of the United States and others," a U.S. Defense Department spokesman told CNN.

"This operation challenged attempts by the three claimants, China, Taiwan and Vietnam, to restrict navigation rights and freedoms around the features they claim by policies that require prior permission or notification of transit within territorial seas," Cmdr. Bill Urban said.

"This operation demonstrates, as President Obama and Secretary [Ash] Carter have stated, the United States will fly, sail and operate anywhere international law allows. That is true in the South China Sea, as in other places around the globe."

The USS Curtis Wilbur, an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, sailed within 12 nautical miles of the Triton Island, part of the Paracel Islands -- an archipelago claimed by the three.

None of them was notified of the move.

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More News On A U.S. Warship Sailing Near An Island Claimed By China In The South China Sea

US warship sailed in waters off island claimed by China: Pentagon-- AFP
U.S. warship sails near island claimed by China in South China Sea -- Reuters
U.S. missile destroyer sailed close to island claimed by China -- Washington Post
US warship sails near disputed island in South China Sea -- AP
Navy challenges China, others in South China Sea -- USA Today
U.S. Navy ship tests claim on island made by China, others -- UPI