China warns off trespassing US warship in South China Sea

Guangzhou: A US warship trespassing into China’s territorial waters has been warned off, a military spokesperson confirmed, vowing that the Chinese military would continue its resolute efforts to safeguard national sovereignty and maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.

Senior Colonel Li Huamin, spokesperson for the Southern Theater Command of the People’s Liberation Army, made the comments late Thursday in response to the trespassing of the guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin into the waters off the Xisha Islands.

“The command’s naval and air forces tracked, verified, and identified the warship, and warned it off,” Li said.

“Ignoring the rules of international law, the U.S. side has repeatedly provoked troubles in the South China Sea, exercising navigational hegemony under the pretext of ‘freedom of navigation’,” said Li, adding that such moves severely undermine China’s sovereignty and security interests, and the navigational order in the South China Sea.

Li urged the U.S. side to stop provocations, strictly manage the actions of its naval and air forces, and restrain its frontline troops so as not to trigger unexpected incidents.

Noting that China has indisputable sovereignty over the islands and reefs in the South China Sea and their adjacent waters, Li said the Southern Theater Command will always remain on high alert, resolutely safeguard China’s national sovereignty and security, and firmly maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.