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| China ‘warned away’ US warship | |
| (34 minutes later) | |
| USS Chancellorsville was “trespassing” in its waters in the South China Sea, Beijing claims | USS Chancellorsville was “trespassing” in its waters in the South China Sea, Beijing claims |
| China's military has said that its forces have “followed and warned away” the American guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville after it approached the Nansha [also called the Spratly] Islands in the South China Sea early on Tuesday. | China's military has said that its forces have “followed and warned away” the American guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville after it approached the Nansha [also called the Spratly] Islands in the South China Sea early on Tuesday. |
| The arrival without prior Chinese authorization of the US warship near the islands, which Beijing considers to be part of its territory, was a “serious violation of China’s sovereignty and security,” the country's military spokesman Tian Junli declared. | The arrival without prior Chinese authorization of the US warship near the islands, which Beijing considers to be part of its territory, was a “serious violation of China’s sovereignty and security,” the country's military spokesman Tian Junli declared. |
| The move was further proof that Washington is working towards “militarization of the South China Sea,” Tian said, adding that the US was a “provocateur against peace” in the region. | The move was further proof that Washington is working towards “militarization of the South China Sea,” Tian said, adding that the US was a “provocateur against peace” in the region. |
| The spokesman reiterated the Chinese military’s commitment to protecting the country’s sovereignty and to upholding stability in the South China Sea. | The spokesman reiterated the Chinese military’s commitment to protecting the country’s sovereignty and to upholding stability in the South China Sea. |
| The US Navy’s 7th Fleet has rejected the Chinese accusations as “false,” insisting that USS Chancellorsville had been carrying out a freedom-of-navigation operation (FONOP) in the area, in line with international law. | The US Navy’s 7th Fleet has rejected the Chinese accusations as “false,” insisting that USS Chancellorsville had been carrying out a freedom-of-navigation operation (FONOP) in the area, in line with international law. |
| “The US challenges excessive maritime claims around the world regardless of the identity of the claimant,” it said. | “The US challenges excessive maritime claims around the world regardless of the identity of the claimant,” it said. |
| Nansha, known also as the Spratlys, is a vast archipelago, parts of which are claimed by China, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei, and the Philippines. | Nansha, known also as the Spratlys, is a vast archipelago, parts of which are claimed by China, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei, and the Philippines. |
| Beijing, Taipei and Hanoi insist foreign military vessels must receive permission or submit an advance notification before sailing through the area. | Beijing, Taipei and Hanoi insist foreign military vessels must receive permission or submit an advance notification before sailing through the area. |
| Washington believes that these demands are “unlawful” and pose “a serious threat to the freedom of the seas, including the freedoms of navigation and overflight [and] free trade” in the South China Sea, through which multiple trade routes traverse. | Washington believes that these demands are “unlawful” and pose “a serious threat to the freedom of the seas, including the freedoms of navigation and overflight [and] free trade” in the South China Sea, through which multiple trade routes traverse. |
| The American destroyer USS Benfold had also sailed near the Nansha Islands in July, with Beijing vigorously protesting the move. | The American destroyer USS Benfold had also sailed near the Nansha Islands in July, with Beijing vigorously protesting the move. |