The Chinese military on Thursday warned off and expelled a US warship that illegally entered China’s territorial waters near the Xisha Islands in the South China Sea. The USS Milius, a guided-missile destroyer, violated China’s sovereignty and security interests by trespassing into the waters without authorization, according to a statement by the PLA Southern Theater Command.
The PLA deployed naval and air forces to track, monitor and warn away the US warship, which was accused of sabotaging the peace and stability in the region.
The PLA spokesperson said the command will stay on high alert and take all necessary measures to defend China’s national sovereignty, security and regional stability. The US has been frequently conducting provocative operations in the South China Sea, challenging China’s territorial claims and stirring up tensions with other claimant countries.
China has repeatedly urged the US to respect its sovereignty and stop interfering in its internal affairs under the pretext of freedom of navigation.
