Story highlights
- The USS Curtis Wilbur sailed within 12 nautical miles of the Triton Island
- The island is claimed by China, Taiwan and Vietnam
(CNN)The U.S. Navy sent a ship near a
contested island in the South China Sea on Saturday to challenge
"excessive maritime claims that restrict the rights and freedoms of the
United States and others," a U.S. Defense Department spokesman told CNN.
"This
operation challenged attempts by the three claimants, China, Taiwan and
Vietnam, to restrict navigation rights and freedoms around the features
they claim by policies that require prior permission or notification of
transit within territorial seas," Cmdr. Bill Urban said.
"This operation demonstrates, as President Obama and Secretary [Ash]
Carter have stated, the United States will fly, sail and operate
anywhere international law allows. That is true in the South China Sea,
as in other places around the globe."
The USS Curtis Wilbur,
an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, sailed within 12
nautical miles of the Triton Island, part of the Paracel Islands -- an
archipelago claimed by the three.
None of them was notified of the move.
"This
operation was about challenging excessive maritime claims that restrict
the rights and freedoms of the United States and others, not about
territorial claims to land features," Urban said. "The United States
takes no position on competing sovereignty claims between the parties to
naturally formed land features in the South China Sea. The United
States does take a strong position on protecting the rights, freedoms,
and lawful uses of the sea and airspace guaranteed to all countries, and
that all maritime claims must comply with international law."
A spokeswoman for China's Foreign Ministry denounced the action.
"The
U.S. naval ship violated Chinese law to enter China's territorial
waters. China monitored the ship's movement and issued verbal messages
in accordance with law," Hua Chunying said. "We urge the U.S. side to
respect and abide by relevant laws of China, and do more to improve
mutual trust as well as regional peace and stability."
Cui Tiankai, the Chinese ambassador to the United States, told CNN's Christiane Amanpour that the operation was "a very serious provocation, politically and militarily."
And
a spokesman for the Chinese defense ministry, Senior Col. Yang Yujun,
said Saturday's move and ones like it are "very unprofessional and
irresponsible in terms of the safety of troops on both sides."
"It
may cause extremely dangerous consequences," Yang said. "No matter what
provocative actions the U.S. takes, the Chinese military will take all
necessary means to firmly protect sovereignty and security."
The U.S. conducted a similar operation in October. China said it warned that warship, the USS Lassen, as it came close to reefs claimed by China in contested waters.
Much of the South China Sea is subject to a series of territorial disputes between Asian nations.
And near the Spratly Islands, which Beijing calls the Nansha islands, China has built an artificial island with air strips that analysts believe will be able to accommodate bombers.
CNN
YEMI
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