Share this @internewscast.com

China and the United States exchanged accusations at the weekend over the disputed South China Sea, after China’s military said it had driven away a U.S. warship that the U.S. Navy said was on a routine freedom of navigation operation.

According to a post on the official WeChat social media account of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Southern Theatre Command on Saturday, the Chinese military deployed its naval and air forces to “track, monitor and warn away” the U.S. destroyer.

The U.S. Navy said on Sunday that the Hopper had “asserted navigational rights in the South China Sea near the Paracel Islands, consistent with international law.”

China claims almost the entire South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual ship-borne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei. The Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 said China’s claims had no legal basis.

The Philippines and Australia began their first joint sea and air patrols in the sea on Saturday, days after Beijing accused Manila of enlisting foreign forces to patrol the South China Sea, referring to joint patrols by the Philippine and U.S. militaries.

This weekend’s incident, China said, “proves that the United States is an out-and-out ‘security risk creator’ in the South China Sea.”

Lieutenant Kristina Weidemann, deputy spokesperson for the U.S. 7th Fleet, said in an emailed statement: “The United States challenges excessive maritime claims around the world regardless of the identity of the claimant.

“Unlawful and sweeping maritime claims in the South China Sea pose a serious threat to the freedom of the seas.”

Earlier this month, the United States and China held talks on maritime issues, including the contested South China Sea, where the U.S. underscored concerns about what it called “dangerous and unlawful” Chinese actions, the U.S. State Department said.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
UC Berkeley professor gunned down by masked attacker in Greece

UC Berkeley Professor Fatally Shot by Masked Assailant in Greece

A University of California, Berkeley professor was shot and killed by a…
Crime scene at a Victorville convenience store.

Teddy bear with ‘realistic human skin, eyes, and lips’ discovered on sidewalk causes alarm

A DISTURBING teddy bear seemingly made out of human skin sparked a…
Westminster, California suing former police officer Nicole Brown accused of stealing $600K in workers' compensation

City of Westminster, California files lawsuit against ex-police officer Nicole Brown for allegedly taking $600K in workers’ comp benefits

WESTMINSTER, Calif. — The city of Westminster, California is taking legal action…
Trump administration says it won't publish major climate change report on NASA website as promised

Trump Administration Backtracks on Publishing Key Climate Change Report on NASA Website

The Trump administration on Monday advanced another move that complicates access to…
Laniecia Smith allegedly hit kids at Future Leaders Childcare Ministries in Gary, IN during calls with Porter County Jail inmate

Laniecia Smith Accused of Hitting Children at Future Leaders Childcare Ministries in Gary, IN While on Calls with Inmate from Porter County Jail

GARY, Ind. (WLS) — A northwest Indiana daycare teacher is accused of…
A gang surrounding a car, attacking the driver.

Drake’s Rapper Friend Stabbed in London Post-Concert Amid Horrifying Scene of Crowd Attacking Car and Shattering Windshield

A RAPPER was stabbed hours after watching Drake’s final Wireless Festival set.…

Exploring the Science of Shark Bites: National Geographic’s ‘Investigation Shark Attack’ at ‘Sharkfest’

“Sharkfest” dives deep with a new series and some jaw-dropping science. National…
FHP: St. Augustine man killed, 4 injured in multi-vehicle crash on US-1

Tragic Motorcycle Accident Claims Life on Airport Road in Jacksonville

FHP investigators said the crash happened early Sunday morning, and two people…
Princess Eugenia of Hanover, 23, details 'bad sides' of her royal title, says it caused problems at school

Princess Eugenia of Hanover, 23, Opens Up About the Challenges of Her Royal Title and Its Impact on Her School Life

Princess Eugenia of Hanover has opened up about her royal title, saying…
Two rings found on beach and returned thanks to kindness of strangers

Kind Strangers Reunite Two Lost Rings Found on Beach with Their Owners

CAPE MAY, New Jersey — When a woman from South Jersey lost…
‘The Mexicans jumped me and stole my car’: Man charged after allegedly fleeing authorities in car packed with migrants

“Man Arrested After Allegedly Fleeing Police in Car Loaded with Migrants”

A U.S. citizen is now facing federal conspiracy charges, accused of speeding…
Police arrest international traveler allegedly carrying nearly $3M in drugs bound for Brazil

International Traveler Arrested for Allegedly Smuggling Drugs Worth $3M to Brazil

Police arrested a man who allegedly tried to carry almost $3 million…