War Footing: US NAVY Warships In 'Serious Incident' With China After Sailing Into Disputed Waters

[To-Whose-Benefit?]

Scottish Sun
Patrick Knox
27th May 2018, 6:01 pm
Updated: 27th May 2018, 6:15 pm

[excerpt]

https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/2702751/us-navy-warships-in-serious-incident-with-china-after-sailing-into-disputed-waters/

It comes after experts warn biggest Pacific land and sea grabs since the Japanese invasions of 1930s and 1940s ‘almost complete’ as Beijing packs artificial islands with game-changing military hardware.

The tense naval drama unfolded after the American warships sailed near South China Sea islands claimed by China.

The presence of the US warships was slammed by Beijing just as President Donald Trump seeks to make peace with North Korea to avoid a serious war breaking out.

The operation in the South China Sea was the latest bid to counter what Washington condemns as brazen efforts to take control of the strategical important seas.

[TomSea]

China anger over US 'provocation' in South China Sea

China's defence ministry has protested against what it called "provocation" after US warships sailed near South China Sea islands claimed by Beijing.

US officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the Reuters news agency that two military vessels came within 12 nautical miles (around 22km) of the disputed Paracel Islands, among a string of islets, reefs and shoals over which China has territorial disputes with its neighbours.

The Higgins guided-missile destroyer and the Antietam, a guided-missile cruiser, carried out manoeuvering operations near Tree, Lincoln, Triton and Woody islands in the Paracels, one of the officials said.

Read more at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/05/china-anger-provocation-south-china-sea-180527145012439.html

Map:

[TomSea]

The Paracel islands are close to China, the Spratly islands certainly are not.