The US actions have seriously violated China’s sovereignty and security and proved that the US is seeking to militarise the South China Sea
Beijing calls on Washington to stop such provocations or it will be responsible for serious consequences.
Tian Junli, a spokesman for the People’s Liberation Army’s Southern Zone Combat Command, said this on Thursday.
The US missile destroyer USS Benfold entered the waters of the disputed Sisha Islands (Paracel Islands) in the South China Sea, which China considers its own, without permission.
“The USS Benford, a missile destroyer, illegally entered the territorial waters of China’s Sisha (Paracel Islands) archipelago without permission from the Chinese government on January 20”, – Tian Junli said in a statement.
The PLA Southern Combatant Command Area Navy Group reportedly escorted the US ship, issuing a warning to leave the area concerned.
“The facts have fully proved that the US is a net security risk maker in the South China Sea, as well as the ‘biggest destroyer’ of peace and stability in the South China Sea”, – Junli pointed out