BEIJING – China on Friday scolded the United States for sending navalvessels close to disputed islands in the South China Sea where Beijing hasbuilt military installations.

The US and its allies have in recent times sent planes and warships to thearea for “freedom of navigation” operations, intended as a signal toBeijing of their right under international law to pass through the watersclaimed by China.

The USS Chancellorsville guided missile destroyer on Monday entered watersoff the Paracel Islands, known as Xisha in Chinese, said People’sLiberation Army Southern Theatre spokesman Li Huamin in a statement.

Aircraft and warships were scrambled, sending out warnings for the Americanvessel to leave the area.

“We urge the US to strengthen the management of its vessels and aircraftthat pass by Chinese territory to prevent unexpected events,” Li said.

China has also lodged a diplomatic complaint with the US, foreign ministryspokesman Geng Shuang said during a regular press briefing, calling on theUS to “immediately stop such provocative actions that violate China’ssovereignty”.

The Paracels are claimed by China, Taiwan and Vietnam.

China claims nearly all of the South China Sea though Taiwan, thePhilippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam all claim parts of it.

Further angering those countries, and the US, Beijing has movedaggressively to build up reefs into artificial islands capable of hostingmilitary planes.

It was the second US naval operation to irk China this week.

On Wednesday, two US ships sailed through the Taiwan Strait — which Chinaconsiders its territory but the US and others see as international watersopen to all — prompting a furious Beijing to send warships and fighterjets.

This was the third such operation this year, including one last month whichprompted a diplomatic protest.

The naval tensions come just ahead of scheduled talked between US PresidentDonald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the G20 summit in Argentinathis weekend aimed at softening trade tensions. – APP/AFP