China slams new US Navy ‘provocation’

‘China has strongly condemned a recent move by a United States warship to sail near one of its islands in the disputed South China Sea, describing the move as a “provocation.”
The USS Stethem, a guided-missile destroyer, sailed within 12 nautical miles of Triton Island, part of the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea, a US Defense Department official said, media reported on Sunday. China said in response that it had sent its navy battle ships and fighter jets to confront the potential threat.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also said the US warship had made an unauthorized entry into the country’s territorial waters.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang described the US move as a “serious political and military provocation.”
“China strongly urges the US side to immediately stop this kind of provocative action, which seriously violates China’s sovereignty and puts at risk China’s security,” Lu said.’
Read more: China slams new US Navy ‘provocation’