A US Navy destroyer carried out a "freedom of navigation" operation on Friday, coming within 12 nautical miles of an artificial island built by China in the South China Sea, US officials told Reuters. The operation, which infuriated Beijing, was the latest attempt to counter what Washington sees as China's efforts to limit freedom of navigation in the strategic waters.
The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the destroyer Mustin travelled close to Mischief Reef in the Spratly Islands and carried out manoeuvring operations. China has territorial disputes with its neighbours over the area. Twelve nautical miles is an internationally recognized territorial limit.
The United States has criticized China's construction of islands and buildup of military facilities in the area, and is concerned they could be used to restrict free nautical movement.
The latest operation, the first since January, occurred just a day after US President Donald Trump lit a slow-burning fuse by signing a presidential memorandum that will target up to $60 billion in Chinese goods with tariffs, following a 30-day consultation period that starts once a list is published. When asked about the operation, the US military said its activities are carried out under international law and American forces operate in the region on a daily bases.
"We conduct routine and regular freedom of navigation operations, as we have done in the past and will continue to do in the future," said Lieutenant Commander Nicole Schwegman, a spokeswoman for US Pacific Fleet. China's Defense Ministry said two Chinese naval ships had been sent to identify the US ship and warn it to leave. It described the actions of the American ship as seriously harming China's sovereignty and security, which threatens regional peace and stability.