The Chinese government has accused the United States of „provocation“ for sending a warship to a controversial sea area in the South China Sea. The missile destroyer „USS McCampbell“ drove along the coast of the Paracel Islands yesterday without a permit, criticized a spokesman for the People’s Liberation Army yesterday.
„This is a hegemonic act that violates international law and threatens peace and stability in the South China Sea,“ he added.
U.S. Navy confirmed deployment
The Paracel Islands are the subject of a territorial conflict in East Asia. China, Taiwan and Vietnam claim the archipelago. „Under the guise of ‚free shipping‘, the US has repeatedly flexed its muscles, was provocative and caused trouble in the South China Sea,“ said spokesman Li Huamin.
The seventh fleet of the US Navy confirmed the use of the „USS McCampbell“ as part of an operation for free shipping. „Illegal and far-reaching maritime strains in the South China Sea pose an unprecedented threat to the freedom of the sea,“ said fleet spokeswoman Reann Mommsen. The sea area that the „USS McCampbell“ crossed was outside the waters that China „could legally claim to be its sea area“.
