The Pentagon announced Tuesday that it had sent a warship near a disputed reef in the South China Sea, representing a new warning to China over Beijing’s territorial claims in the region.
(FOX)- The Wall Street Journal, citing a senior defense official, reported that the USS William P. Lawrence, a guided-missile destroyer, navigated within 12 nautical miles of Fiery Cross reef, part of the Spratly chain of islands. The Defense Department, in a statement quoted by Reuters, said the operation was to “challenge excessive maritime claims of some claimants in the South China Sea”.
The official told the Journal that the Lawrence took one pass past Fiery Cross Reef in a routine operation. It was not immediately clear whether Chinese military or civilian officials attempted to make contact with the ship.
There was no immediate comment from Beijing.
Tuesday marked the third time in less than a year the U.S. had conducted a so-called freedom of navigation operation in the South China Sea.
Chinese officials have insisted that they have no plans to militarize the Spratly Islands. China President Xi Jianping made a pledge to that effect when he visited the White House in September.