The destroyer USS Lassen, a few hours ago, it passed by twelve nautical miles from the Spratly Islands (claimed by Beijing). Islands considered Chinese sovereign territory. The United States has not violated the 12 mileage limit since the 2014, since China began mass dredging operations to artificially transform the three islands. The entire USS Lassen maneuver was authorized by President Barack Obama.
In just over 18 months, China has recovered more than 2.000 acres in the main islands of the Spratly archipelago: Subi, Mischief and Fiery Cross. The South China Sea is the subject of numerous territorial disputes between China, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.
The reply was not long in coming with a statement from China's foreign minister Wang Yi. "We advise the United States to think twice before taking such action. We have repeatedly reiterated that activities in the South China Sea will not threaten anyone, undermine the freedom of navigation (by sea or by air) of any country. Freedom navigation cannot be used as an excuse to undermine the sovereignty of other countries ”.
We are wherever international law allows us - replied by the US Department of Defense - we must not inform anyone when we exercise our right to sail in international waters.
(photo: US Navy / web)
