China decries Navy vessel near islands

BEIJING — China on Wednesday protested the sailing of a U.S. Navy ship near territory it claims in the South China Sea, saying it would continue to take measures to protect Beijing’s interests in the vital waterway claimed by several nations.

A U.S. official said the destroyer USS Chafee sailed near the Paracel Islands on Tuesday, going within 16 nautical miles of land. The Navy does not announce such missions in advance, and the official spoke on condition of anonymity.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hua Chunying denounced the mission as dangerous and a violation of China’s sovereignty.

“The Chinese government will continue to take firm measures to safeguard national territory, sovereignty and maritime interests,” Hua told reporters at a daily briefing.