China’s Ministry of Defense accused the American destroyer Benfold on the invasion of the controversial territorial waters near Nansha Islands (Spratley Archipelago) in the South China Sea. This is reported by TASS with reference to the official representative of the southern zone of the combat command of the People’s Liberation Army of China (NAK) Tian Junley.
According to Junley, the rocket destroyer entered the water without the corresponding permission of the Chinese authorities. NAK made a warning to the military vessel about the need to leave the waters. “American side actions are a serious violation of the sovereignty and security of China,” he stressed.
The representative of Beijing believes that the PRC has “undisputed sovereignty” over the islands in the South China Sea and the waters near them. “The strengths located in the area constantly take measures to resolutely defend peace and security in the region,” concluded Junley.
The Territory of the Islands of Sprati is disputed by six states: Vietnam, PRC, the Republic of Town (Taiwan), Malaysia, Philippines and Brunhem. In the area of the island archipelago there are significant reserves of oil and gas.
August 30, China’s Marine Security Office stated that all foreign vessels are obliged to report the location at the entrance to the “Chinese” territorial water. We are talking about the Russians of Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and others. Now foreign ships are obliged to report to the Chinese administration their callsign, as well as transfer information about transported cargo.
Measures were taken due to the exacerbation of tensions between the United States and the PRC. From August 3 to August 16, the United States conducted the largest naval exercises in the Black, South China and East-Chinese seas, as well as in the Eastern Mediterranean.