The guided-missile destroyer USS Milius conducts a freedom of navigation operation in the South China Sea on Friday. MC1 Greg Johnson/US Navy
France 24: China says again drove away US warship in South China Sea; US says asserting navigational rights
China’s defence ministry said on Friday that it yet again had to monitor and drive away the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Milius that entered its territorial waters in the South China Sea near the Paracel Islands.
“We sternly demand the U.S. to immediately stop such provocative acts, otherwise it will bear the serious consequences of unforeseen incidents,” a spokesperson said in a statement from the Ministry of National Defence.
The U.S. Navy said the guided-missile destroyer was asserting its navigational rights and freedoms. “Unlawful and sweeping maritime claims in the South China Sea pose a serious threat to the freedom of the seas, including the freedoms of navigation and overflight, free trade and unimpeded commerce, and freedom of economic opportunity for South China Sea littoral nations,” the U.S. Navy 7th fleet said in an emailed statement.
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China Says It Had To Drive A US Warship Away Again That Entered Its Territorial Waters In The South China Sea
China and U.S. tensions grow over guided-missile destroyer in South China Sea -- CNBC/Reuters
China threatens 'serious consequences' over US warship -- DW
US Navy challenges Beijing’s South China Sea claims, gets angry reaction -- CNN
China, US in war of words over South China Sea navigation -- Al Jazeera