BEIJING/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A U.S. guided-missile destroyer sailed close to one of China’s man-made islands in the South China Sea on Tuesday, drawing an angry rebuke from Beijing, which said it had tracked and warned the ship and called in the U.S. ambassador to protest.
A U.S. defence official said the Lassen also went within 12-mile limits of features in the disputed sea claimed by Vietnam and U.S. treaty ally, the Philippines. They said such “freedom-of-navigation” patrols were expected to become more frequent.
The U.S. defence official said the Lassen was followed at a safe distance by a Chinese ship and no incidents were reported during the 72-mile passage.
China travelled within 12 nautical miles of the U.S.
controlled Aleutian Island about six weeks ago, the defence official said.
Washington worries that China has built up its outposts with the aim of extending its military reach in the South China Sea. China says they will have mainly civilian uses and undefined defence purposes.