BEIJING – US Navy destroyer carried out a “freedom of navigation” operationon Friday, coming within 12 nautical miles of an artificial island built byChina in the South China Sea.

The operation, which infuriated Beijing, was the latest attempt to counterwhat Washington sees as China’s efforts to limit freedom of navigation inthe strategic waters.

The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the destroyerMustin traveled close to Mischief Reef in the Spratly Islands and carriedout maneuvering operations. China has territorial disputes with itsneighbours over the area.

Twelve nautical miles is an internationally recognized territorial limit.

The United States has criticized China’s construction of islands andbuildup of military facilities in the area, and is concerned they could beused to restrict free nautical movement.

The latest operation, the first since January, occurred just a day after USPresident Donald Trump lit a slow-burning fuse by signing a presidentialmemorandum that will target up to $60 billion in Chinese goods withtariffs, following a 30-day consultation period that starts once a list ispublished.

When asked about the operation, the U.S. military said its activities arecarried out under international law and American forces operate in theregion on a daily bases. AGENCIES