China\u2019s military says it tracked and warned away a United States warship that had illegally entered waters it claims in the South China Sea. The US Navy denied China\u2019s claims, stating that the ship was on a routine operation and left the area of its own accord.
\nIn a statement on Thursday, the Southern Theatre Command of the Chinese People\u2019s Liberation Army (PLA) said the USS Milius, a guided missile destroyer, intruded into waters around the disputed Paracel Islands.
\nThe PLA \u201corganised sea and air forces to track and monitor [the ship] in accordance with the law\u201d and \u201cwarned it to leave\u201d, spokesperson for the Southern Theatre Command Tian Junli said.
\nThe US vessel \u201cmade an illegal incursion into Chinese territorial waters \u2026 without permission from the Chinese government, harming peace and stability\u201d in the region, he said.
\n\u201cThe theatre forces will maintain a high state of alert at all times and take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and security and peace and stability in the South China Sea,\u201d he said.
\nChina\u2019s state media described the US ship as having trespassed in \u201cChinese territorial waters\u201d.
\nThe US Navy on Thursday disputed the PLA statement, saying the destroyer was conducting \u201croutine operations\u201d in the South China Sea and was not expelled by Chinese ships.
\n\u201cThe United States will continue to fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows,\u201d a statement from the US Navy 7th Fleet said.
\nA tweet from the 7th Fleet made no mention of the USS Milius\u2019s encounter with Chinese naval forces.
\nThe US-China tension has been growing in recent months as Beijing adopts a most aggressive stance towards Taiwan and as Washington seals agreements for military cooperation with Asian states which are party to territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
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