- Advertisement -
World

US Navy says destroyer on navigational rights mission in South China Sea

The announcement comes as China's military simulates precision strikes against Taiwan in military drills around the island amid growing tensions between China and the US in the region.

Reuters
1 minute read
Share
A US Navy officer walks in front of a 5754 gun on the deck of the USS Milius DDG69, a multi-mission capable guided missile destroyer ship docked at the Manila south harbour on Aug 18, 2012. Photo: AFP
A US Navy officer walks in front of a 5754 gun on the deck of the USS Milius DDG69, a multi-mission capable guided missile destroyer ship docked at the Manila south harbour on Aug 18, 2012. Photo: AFP

The US Navy said its guided-missile destroyer USS Milius conducted a navigational rights and freedoms mission in the South China Sea near the Spratly Islands on Monday.

The announcement came as China's military simulated precision strikes against Taiwan in military drills around the island amid growing tensions between China and the US in the region.

The US Navy said the operation by the destroyer was consistent with international law.

"At the conclusion of the operation, USS Milius exited the excessive claim area and continued operations in the South China Sea," a US Navy statement said. "This freedom of navigation operation upheld the rights, freedoms and lawful uses of the sea."

Last month, China and the US sparred over the movement of the USS Milius, which China said entered its territorial waters in the South China Sea near the Paracel Islands.

China claims vast swathes of the area that overlap with exclusive economic zones of various countries, including the Philippines. Trillions of dollars in trade flow every year through the waterway.

Follow us on WhatsApp & Telegram

Get exclusive insights into Malaysia's latest news.

Subscribe to our newsletter

To be updated with all the latest news and analyses daily.

Share