The Chinese Ministry of Defense said on Wednesday that a US destroyer illegally entered Chinese territorial waters near the Xisha archipelago (Paracel Islands). Tian Junli, spokesman for the Southern Zone Combat Command of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), said that the actions of the United States seriously violate China’s sovereignty and security, and damage peace and stability in the region.
⠀
“On July 13, the American guided-missile destroyer Benfold illegally entered the territorial waters of the Chinese Xisha archipelago without obtaining the appropriate permission from the Chinese government,” the statement posted on the WeChat messenger said.
⠀
According to Tian Junli, the PLA naval and air forces escorted and monitored the American ship, and warned it to leave the water area. He stressed that the actions of the US military “are a serious violation of the sovereignty and security of China, cause serious damage to peace and stability in the South China Sea (SCS) region, seriously violate the principles of international law and the norms of international relations, are another iron proof of US hegemony and militarization of the South China Sea.”
⠀
“The facts once again prove that the United States is a steady creator of security risks in the South China Sea, as well as the biggest violator of peace and stability in the South China Sea,” Tian Junli continued.
⠀
He also noted that the forces stationed in the area are constantly taking measures and taking all necessary steps to firmly protect state sovereignty and security, and resolutely uphold peace in the region.
