China Accuses US Warship of Violating Territorial Waters

By Ernest Omoarelojie 

March 23, 2023

With Agency Reports 

China has reported that a US destroyer illegally entered its territorial waters around South Sea's Paracel Island.

China military made the disclosure on Thursday noting however, that the destroyer had been guided and driven away from the area. 

According to the statement by the military as reported by Reuters, China pointed out that the presence of the Guided Missile Destroyer, US Milius, is a clear violation of China's territorial waters and an attempt to undermine peace and stability in the busy waterway. It added that Chinese forces are always ready to safeguard the country's national sovereignty 

"The theater forces will maintain a high state of alert at all times and take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and security and peace and stability in the South China Sea," said Tian Junli, a spokesman for China's Southern Theatre Command.

But U.S. Navy says claim by the Chinese military that it expelled the destroyer is false. According to the US Navy, the destroyer is conducting "routine operations" in the South China Sea and was not expelled. 

"The United States will continue to fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows," a statement from the U.S. Navy 7th Fleet said.

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