US warship sails close to China’s islands in South China Sea

‘A US Navy warship has allegedly conducted a “navigation freedom operation” near an island claimed by China in the South China Sea, in a move that could heighten tensions between Washington and Beijing.
The US Defense Department made the announcement on Friday, saying the USS Decatur destroyer passed close to the Paracel Islands and “conducted this transit in a routine, lawful manner without ship escorts and without incident.”
Pentagon spokesman Commander Gary Ross added, “This operation demonstrated that coastal States may not unlawfully restrict the navigation rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of the sea that the United States and all states are entitled to exercise under international law.”‘
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