China accuses U.S. of violating its sovereignty in disputed waters

SpaceWar.com reports: “China on Monday accused the U.S. Navy of violating its sovereignty when its USS Gabrielle Giffords warship sailed near a submerged reef in disputed waters of the South China Sea.

China’s Southern Theater Command issued its protest in a statement, saying the littoral combat ship on Monday ‘illegally broke into the waters adjacent to Ren’ai Reef … without the approval of the Chinese government.’

Located in the Spratly Islands of the South China Sea, the Second Thomas Shoal, which is called the Ren’ai Reef in China, is claimed by Beijing as well as the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.

Manila operates an outpost as part of a resupply mission on the reef and its ships have repeatedly come into confrontation with Beijing vessels in the region. In October, the Armed Forces of the Philippines accused Chinese Coast Guard vessels of colliding with one of its supply boats.

On Monday, China said the United States ‘deliberately disrupted’ the South China Sea, ‘seriously violated’ its sovereignty and security and undermined regional peace and stability when the USS Gabrielle Giffords transited near the shoal…”

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