Chinese warship tracks US destroyer during freedom of navigation sail in South China Sea

In an apparent escalation, a Chinese warship shadowed a US guided-missile destroyer USS John S McCain, who was transiting through disputed waters of South China Sea, Fox News reported. While China has claimed its legitimate right over 1.3 million square kilometres of South China Sea, American ships regularly sail through it asserting freedom of navigation. As per ANI, American warship was sailing through Gaven Reef and Johnson South Reef when Chinese ship impeded its course.

"This freedom of navigation operation ('FOP') upheld rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of sea recognized in international law by challenging restrictions on incent pass imposed by China, Vietnam, and Taiwan. All interactions with foreign military forces were consistent with international rms and did t impact operation,” 7th Fleet of United States Navy wrote in a statement.

In addition, it said that unlawful and sweeping maritime claims in South China Sea pose a serious threat to freedom of seas, including freedoms of navigation, free trade and overflight. “By engaging in incent pass without giving prior tification to or asking permission from any of claimants, United States challenged unlawful restrictions imposed by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam. United States demonstrated that incent pass may t be subject to such restrictions," a report by 7th Fleet, which operates in Pacific stated.

China 'expelled' US ship

In contrast, China’s People’s Liberation Army Sourn ater Command claimed that US destroyer "trespassed into waters near China's Nansha Islands (Spratly Islands), without authorization of Chinese government". Following which Chinese ships, “warned and expelled” it, a statement from PLA added.  

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This comes as multiple Russian and Chinese bombers flew over western Pacific region in a display of strengning ties. According to a statement by Russian defence ministry, second joint air patrol included two Tu-95 strategic bombers and four Chinese H-6K bombers. A video of fighter planes flying over Sea of Japan and East China Sea was later shared by ministry on Twitter with #RussiaChina.

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Im: ANI