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An aerial view of China-occupied Subi Reef at Spratly Islands within the South China Sea. Picture by Reuters/Francis Malasig
A U.S. Navy destroyer sailed close to the Spratly Islands on Saturday, the U.S. Navy stated, its second such “freedom of navigation” operation in every week within the South China Sea.
On Wednesday, China’s army stated it had “pushed away” the identical ship, the united statesBenfold, when it sailed close to the Paracel Islands.
The US frequently carries out what it calls freedom of navigation operations within the South China Sea, difficult what it says are restrictions on harmless passage imposed by China and different claimants.
“On July 16, USS Benfold (DDG 65) asserted navigational rights and freedoms within the South China Sea close to the Spratly Islands, according to worldwide legislation,” the U.S. Navy stated in a press release.
China says it doesn’t impede freedom of navigation or overflight, accusing america of intentionally scary tensions.
Monday marked the sixth anniversary of a ruling by a global tribunal that invalidated China’s sweeping claims to the South China Sea, a conduit for about $3 trillion value of ship-borne commerce annually.
China has by no means accepted the ruling.
China claims nearly the complete South China Sea, which Vietnam calls the East Sea.
China has constructed synthetic islands on a few of its South China Sea holdings, together with airports, elevating regional issues about Beijing’s intentions.
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