China accuses US vessel of trespassing into its waters in South China Sea

ANKARA (AA) – China has accused a US vessel of trespassing into its waters around the Nansha Islands in the South China Sea, state-run media said.

“The US military’s actions are a serious violation of China’s sovereignty and security, and irrefutable proof of its hegemony in navigation and militarization of the South China Sea,” said Tian Junli, a spokesperson for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command.

Tian called the US a provocateur against peace in the region.

The Chinese forces followed and warned away the guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville, the spokesperson said.

In July, the Chinese military claimed driving away the US destroyer USS Benfold that sailed near the Nansha Islands in the South China Sea.

China claims sovereignty over parts of the resource-rich sea, bringing it into a dispute with the Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam.

The Philippines won a case in 2016 at the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague, which invalidated China’s expansion claims over South China Sea.

It is claimed by China and several other regional countries.

China’s assertions are based on its “nine-dash line” – purple dashes on official Chinese maps that denote Beijing’s historical claims over the South China Sea.

The Chinese and US warships engaging in maritime conflicts has been a regular feature in the sea.