Media reported about the approaching US Navy ship to the disputed Islands near China
Destroyer of the U.S. Navy USS Dewey approached to a distance of 22 km Chinese-held territory in the Spratly archipelago, whose territorial identity is disputed. About it reports Reuters, citing sources.
The Islands of the Spratly archipelago claimed by six countries: China, Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Taiwan and Brunei. China is expanding its military activity in the area of the South China sea. In particular, China’s military has created several artificial Islands in the archipelago, which has placed its military facilities.
The US Navy ships regularly sailing in the area of the South China sea to demonstrate the right to free navigation, which China disputes. However, this incident was the first during the reign of trump. The last time U.S. Navy ships have approached the disputed territories in October 2016.
In July 2016 the international court in the Hague condemned the unreasonable demands of China’s control over most of the waters of the South China sea. The court also condemned the construction of China’s artificial Islands in the area.
Earlier, on may 19, it became known that the Chinese fighter intercepted a U.S. air force plane in the skies over the East China sea. The us military has described the actions of Chinese pilots “unprofessional”.