Chinese military says it ‘drove away’ US warship in the South China Sea

BEIJING: China’s military closely monitored and “drove away” USS Halsey that entered the territorial waters of Paracel Islands in the South China Sea on May 10, the Southern Theater Command of the People’s Liberation Army said in a statement on Friday. The US move “seriously infringed on China’s sovereignty and security,” the military said.

“It is yet another iron proof of its navigation hegemony and militarisation of the South China Sea,” it said, adding its troops would stay on high alert and safeguard national security.

Chinese military accused Washington of being the “creator of security risks in the South China Sea” and the “biggest destroyer” of peace and stability in the area.

In a statement, the US Navy confirmed the ship had

“asserted navigational rights and freedoms in the South China Sea near the Paracel Islands”. “At the conclusion of the operation, USS Halsey exited the excessive claim and continued operations in the South China Sea,” it added.

“Unlawful and sweeping maritime claims in the South China Sea pose a serious threat to the freedom of the seas,” the statement said.

The latest dispute between China and the U.S. came amid heightened tensions in the strategic South China Sea, with US ally the Philippines embroiled in a bitter diplomatic row with Beijing over disputed waters in the region. China claims large swathes of the South China Sea, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 ruled that Beijing’s claims had no basis under international law.