Chinese military on Tuesday voiced firm opposition to a US Navy warship's entry into waters around China's islands and reefs in the South China Sea.
Wu Qian, spokesperson with the Ministry of National Defense. (File photo)
A US Decatur guided-missile destroyer made an unauthorized entry into China's territorial waters near relevant islands in the South China Sea on September 30, said Wu Qian, spokesperson with the Ministry of National Defense. The Chinese navy identified the US destroyer according to international laws and regulations, then warned and expelled it.
Chinese navy. (Photo via Weibo)
China has indisputable sovereignty of the Nanshazhudao and its adjacent waters. The South China Sea situation is developing toward a stable and positive trend under efforts from China and countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
The US side has repeatedly made unauthorized entries into China's territorial waters near relevant islands in the South China Sea, which seriously infringes upon China's sovereignty and security, harms mutual trust between the two armies as well as regional stability. China firmly opposes such wrong acts.
China respects and safeguards the freedom of navigation and overflight enjoyed by all states under international law in the South China Sea, said Wu. He expressed China’s opposition to any military provocation in the name of “navigational freedom”.
Wu said that China will take all necessary measures to defend its national sovereignty and security and safeguard regional peace and stability.