BEIJING - China has protested sailing of a US Navy ship near South China Sea, terming it a violation of Chinese sovereignty.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Hua Chunying today denounced the mission as dangerous and said China will continue to take measures to protect Beijing's interests in the vital waterway.
A U.S. official said the destroyer USS Chafee sailed near the Paracel Islands, coming within 16 nautical miles of land.