A US destroyer sailed near the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea on Wednesday, the US Navy's 7th Fleet announced, days after China imposed new maritime identification rules that include the disputed body of water.

The USS Benfold, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, sailed within 12 miles of Mischief Reef, a portion of the Spratly Islands upon which the Chinese have built military facilities.

"Under international law as reflected in the Law of the Sea Convention, features like Mischief Reef that are submerged at high tide in their naturally formed state are not entitled to a territorial sea," a statement from 7th Fleet read following the freedom of navigation operation. "The land reclamation efforts, installations, and structures built on Mischief Reef do not change this characterization under international law."
The passage near Mischief Reef comes days after China imposed the new maritime identification rules on its territorial waters, including its claims on much of the South China Sea. On September 1, China instituted a new rule that requires many ships to identify their names, call signs, current positions, next ports of call and estimated times of arrival with Chinese authorities upon entering the country's territorial waters.

When the USS Benfold passed near the Spratly Islands without abiding by the new rule, China accused the US of "illegally" entering its waters, claiming it had driven away the ship.

"On September 8th, the USS Benfold guided missile destroyer illegally broke into the waters adjacent to the Mischief Reef of Nansha islands without the approval of the Chinese government," Air Force Col. Tian Junli, spokesperson for China's Southern Theater Command, said in a statement. "The air force carried out follow-up surveillance and issued a warning to drive it away."

Saltybear:
China should stop making noise after all they flew their planes into Taiwanese airspace recently, so now their mate has done the same thing they should not complain.

Anyways I believe they just want to test sleepy Joe's resolve to see if indeed he is a coward...

China won't have tried half of these things when Trump was the POTUS

emae009:


What did Trump really do?? or show boating on SM counts as doing something for you?
Under Biden the US has landed 3 military aircrafts in Taiwan something Trump administration never did... Sailed more ships through the South China Sea on a regular than during the last administration but sure Biden is sleepy.
Oya go attack America, let him wake up.

emae009:


What did Trump really do?? or show boating on SM counts as doing something for you?
Under Biden the US has landed 3 military aircrafts in Taiwan something Trump administration never did... Sailed more ships through the South China Sea on a regular than during the last administration but sure Biden is sleepy.
Oya go attack America, let him wake up.

frugal:

China feared Trump cos he was ready to ruin their economy which is even more important to them.

michlins:
America knows better than to ruin Chinese economy because china is their biggest trade partner. Anything you do to china affects America.

The unnecessary trade war started by Trump was one the things that cost him his presidency. Many companies in America were affected by the trade embargo and those people made sure he didn't return.


I don't know where some of you read your own news but you guys understand nothing about the relationship between china and America

So why is America now trespassing Or is China no longer useful to them

emae009:

What did Trump really do??

michlins:
America knows better than to ruin Chinese economy because china is their biggest trade partner. Anything you do to china affects America.

The unnecessary trade war started by Trump was one the things that cost him his presidency. Many companies in America were affected by the trade embargo and those people made sure he didn't return.


I don't know where some of you read your own news but you guys understand nothing about the relationship between china and America

emae009:


What did Trump really do?? or show boating on SM counts as doing something for you?
Under Biden the US has landed 3 military aircrafts in Taiwan something Trump administration never did... Sailed more ships through the South China Sea on a regular than during the last administration but sure Biden is sleepy.
Oya go attack America, let him wake up.

frugal:

China feared Trump cos he was ready to ruin their economy which is even more important to them.

Ckonnet:


Trump taimed china like a dog, their economy was shaken by trump's economic policies.

Saltybear:
China should stop making noise after all they flew their planes into Taiwanese airspace recently, so now their mate has done the same thing they should not complain.

Anyways I believe they just want to test sleepy Joe's resolve to see if indeed he is a coward...

China won't have tried half of these things when Trump was the POTUS

joyandfaith:

Trump is original mad dog. Many world leaders fear him. They can't predict him. Trump was actually growing US economy through trade embargo with China.
I know joe will not allow China to bully USA, he is not that stupid.