US Destroyer Challenges Chinese South China Sea Claims

Business Insider: US destroyer challenges Chinese South China Sea claims as US Navy warns 'nothing' Beijing says will deter it

* The US Navy conducted a freedom-of-navigation operation near contested territory in the South China Sea on Thursday.

* China's military said the ship trespassed and threatened the peace in the region.

* The US argued its actions were lawful and that China's claims pose a threat to international freedom of the seas.

The US Navy challenged China's "unlawful" and "excessive" maritime claims Thursday with a FONOP – freedom-of-navigation operation – near the Paracel Islands, contested territory in the South China Sea.

The US Navy destroyer USS Benfold conducted the operation, challenging restrictions on innocent passage and excessive territorial claims by claimant states, China in particular.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: The US are denying Chinese claims that they are infringing on Chinese territory .... US navy denies warship sailed 'illegally' into Chinese territorial waters in the South China Sea after PRC claimed they tracked and warned off USS Benfold (Daily Mail). More here .... U.S. Navy Denies Chinese Claims of Expelling Destroyer From Waters Near Paracel Islands (USNI News).

More News On China's Reaction To The Appearance Of The USS Benfold In The South China Sea

PLA expels US warship trespassing Chinese territorial waters in S.China Sea -- Global Times

China says it warned away U.S. warship in South China Sea, U.S. denies -- Reuters

China warns US after tracking warship in South China Sea -- The Guardian

China warns U.S. of 'serious consequences' after Navy warship crosses South China Sea -- UPI

China ‘warns off’ US destroyer -- RT

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