The Chinese military said Thursday it tracked and removed a US destroyer that illegally entered the waters around the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea, as well as stability in crowded waterways.
“The theater forces will be constantly on high alert and take all necessary measures to resolutely defend national sovereignty, security, peace and stability in the South China Sea,” said Tian Junli, spokesman for China’s Southern Theater Command.
The US military was quick to refute China’s claim, telling AFP that “the claims of the People’s Republic of China are false.”
A spokesman for the US Indo-Pacific Command confirmed that the ship was “conducting normal operations in the South China Tugboat and has not been jettisoned.” “The United States will continue to fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows,” he added.
In parallel with emphasizing its claims in the South China Sea, the Chinese authorities have built artificial islands in the past few years, which include a number of military installations and stands.
