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Chinese Military Says US Cruiser Trespassed Into Waters Off Spratly Islands

An aerial view shows a vessel preparing for a search-and-rescue exercise off Taiping island, in the South China Sea , Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016, as part of efforts to cement its claim to a key island in the strategically vital waterbodyBEIJING (Sputnik) – A US missile cruiser on Tuesday entered the waters off the disputed Spratly Islands, also known as the Nansha Islands, which China considers as its own territory, without Beijing’s permission, in what could be another evidence of Washington’s intention to militarize the South China Sea, Chinese army spokesman Tian Junli said.The Chinese navy immediately escorted the US cruiser out of the waters and warned it to leave the area, Tian, who serves in the Southern Theater Command of the People’s Liberation Army, said in a statement posted on the WeChat social network.The actions of the US military seriously violated China’s sovereignty and security, which proves the US desire to dominate shipping in the region, the spokesman added. The incident also demonstrates that Washington is a real source of security threats in the South China Sea, according to Tian.He recalled that Beijing had undeniable sovereignty over the islands in the South China Sea and adjacent waters, and therefore the Chinese forces maintain a state of high alert at all times to ensure peace and stability in the region.Opinion & AnalysisChina in the Crosshairs: Why NATO’s Next ‘Line of Defense’ Will be South China Sea28 September, 13:25 GMTBeijing has long been disputing the ownership of several hydrocarbon-rich islands in the South China Sea with several Asia-Pacific countries. The territories include the Paracel Islands or Xisha archipelago, the Spratly Islands, and the island of Huangyan, also known as the Scarborough Shoal. Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia and the Philippines have also been claiming ownership of the territories.In July 2016, following a lawsuit filed by the Philippines, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled that China had no grounds for territorial claims in the South China Sea. According to the court, the disputed territories of the Spratly archipelago are not considered as islands and do not form an exclusive economic zone. Beijing, in turn, replied that it did not consider the decision of the court valid and did not recognize it.The situation in the sea region is often complicated by the passage of US warships, which, according to Beijing, violate international law and undermine China’s sovereignty and security. Despite protests from Beijing, Washington has said that the US forces will continue to operate wherever international law allowed, including the South China Sea.

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