US destroyer sails close to disputed island in the South China Sea

A US warship has sailed close to a disputed island in the South China Sea claimed by China.

The US Navy conducted a "freedom of navigation exercise" around Triton Island in the Paracel archipelago, which is claimed by China, Vietnam and Taiwan.

The USS Stethem sailed within 12 nautical miles of Triton Island, which is part of the Paracel Islands.

As part of the exercise, the guided-missile destroyer USS Stethem came within 12 miles of Triton, sailing into what China claims to be its territorial waters. The US does not recognize Beijing's claim of sovereignty over the islands, which it has occupied and on which it has been building fortifications.

China called it "a serious political and military provocation" and responded by dispatching battleships and fighter jets to the island.

The incident happened just before leaders of the two countries were due to speak over the phone.

The US has repeatedly warned China against aggressive reclamation of islands in disputed waters, but Beijing says is within its sovereign rights to do so.

UN rules dictate that any territory can claim the waters up to 12 nautical miles from its coast.
The sailing of a US ship within those limits would mean the US does not recognise those territorial claims.

In a statement late on Sunday, China's foreign ministry said it would take "all necessary means to defend national sovereignty and security".

It also accused the US of "deliberately stirring up troubles" in the region as China and South East Asian neighbours have "cooled down and improved the situation".

The tiny island is also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan. China has been embroiled in maritime disputes with several of its regional neighbours in recent years.

The so-called "freedom of navigation" operation is the second since US President Donald Trump took office. Mr Trump is due to speak to his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in a pre-arranged call on Monday.

In May, the USS Dewey sailed less than 12 nautical miles from an artificial island built by China called Mischief Reef, which is part of the Spratly Islands.

US Defence Secretary James Mattis said a few days later that the US would not accept China's militarisation of man-made islands in the region.