In first under Trump, U.S. warship challenges Beijing's claims in South China Sea
Source: Reuters
WORLD NEWS | Thu May 25, 2017 | 4:35am EDT
In first under Trump, U.S. warship challenges Beijing's claims in South China Sea
By Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart | WASHINGTON
A U.S. Navy warship sailed within 12 nautical miles of an artificial island built up by China in the South China Sea, U.S. officials said on Wednesday, the first such challenge to Beijing in the strategic waterway since U.S. President Donald Trump took office.
The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the USS Dewey traveled close to the Mischief Reef in the Spratly Islands, among a string of islets, reefs and shoals over which China has territorial disputes with its neighbors.
China said its warships had warned the U.S. ship and it lodged "stern representations" with the United States. China said it remained resolutely opposed to so-called freedom of navigation operations.
The U.S. patrol, the first of its kind since October, marked the latest attempt to counter what Washington sees as Beijing's efforts to limit freedom of navigation in the strategic waters, and comes as Trump is seeking China's cooperation to rein in ally North Korea's nuclear and missile programs.
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http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-southchinasea-navy-idUSKBN18K353