U.S. Navy Conducts A Sea Navigation Operation Within 12 Miles Of A China-Claimed Reef In The South China Sea

A satellite image released by the Asian Maritime Transparency Initiative at Washington's Center for Strategic and International Studies shows construction of possible radar tower facilities in the Spratly Islands in the disputed South China Sea. Reuters

Reuters: U.S. warship sails within 12 miles of China-claimed reef

A U.S. Navy warship sailed within 12 nautical miles of an artificial island built up by China, U.S. officials said on Wednesday, the first such challenge to Beijing under U.S. President Donald Trump.

The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the USS Dewey was traveling close to the Mischief Reef in the Spratly Islands, among a string islets, reefs and shoals over which China has territorial disputes with its neighbors.

The so-called "freedom of navigation operation" comes at a time when Trump is seeking China's cooperation to rein in ally North Korea's nuclear and missile programs.

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Update: U.S. Navy Conducts South China Sea Navigation Operation (WSJ).

WNU Editor: This is the first Sea Navigation Operation under President Trump.