China has accused America of violating Chinese territorial waters by patrolling near the Paracel Islands archipelago, conducted by a US Navy destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur. The destroyer approached the island of Triton in the Paracel Islands archipelago at a distance of 12 nautical miles. According to Pentagon spokesman Capt. Jeff Davis, the move was aimed at the protection of freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. He added that the operation was a provocation to China, Taiwan and Vietnam, who according to the US are trying to limit the rights and freedom of navigation.
“An incursion by a US warship in Chinese territorial waters on Saturday is the latest attempt by Washington to return tension to the South China Sea and encourage more regional stakeholders to challenge China,” wrote China Daily.
Zhang Junshe, a senior researcher at the PLA Naval Military Studies Research Institute, said that the situation was stabilizing before the latest outspoken remarks and intrusion by Washington. One of the US’ goals is to bring back tension in the region. FULL REPORT
