ANKARA – U.S. Navy drills in the South China Sea on Sunday have led torenewed tension between Washington and Beijing.
Despite China’s warnings, the U.S. Navy sailed the warship USS Preble nextto a disputed shoal under the Beijing’s control.
The move drew a sharp reaction from China which “strongly urged” the U.S.to halt such “provocative actions”.
Various reports said the U.S. sailed the Arleigh Burke-class destroyerarmed with Tomahawk missiles near the Scarborough Shoal in what is seen as“challenge” to Beijing’s claim on the area.
Washington said its drills in the South China were conducted under the“freedom of navigation” and has refused Beijing’s demands.
“Preble sailed within 12 nautical miles of Scarborough Reef in order tochallenge excessive maritime claims and preserve access to the waterways asgoverned by international law,” Commander Clay Doss, a spokesman for theU.S. Seventh Fleet, stated.
One of the biggest flash points in Asia, China claims sovereignty over theentire South China Sea.
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Spread over 3.5 million square kilometers, the sea is one of the world’sbusiest shipping routes and covers a vast reserve of gas and oil.
In a decades-long dispute, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwanchallenge China’s claim over different patches of the body of water.
The U.S. said China was building military installations on artificialislands and reefs in the South China Sea, which Beijing argues arenecessary for its “self-defense”.
Beijing has accused Washington of “inflaming tension” by sending warshipsand military aircraft close to islands under China’s claims.
