China ticks off US for navy destroyer sailing near islands it claims as its own
Washington — A US Navy destroyer sailed near islands claimed by China in the South China Sea on Tuesday, three US officials told Reuters, even as US President Donald Trump’s administration seeks Chinese co-operation in reining in North Korea’s missile and nuclear programmes. The operation was the latest attempt to counter what Washington sees as Beijing’s efforts to limit freedom of navigation in the strategic waters. But it was not as provocative as previous ones carried out since Trump took office in January. The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Chafee, a guided-missile destroyer, carried out normal manoeuvering operations that challenged "excessive maritime claims" near the Paracel Islands, among a string of islets, reefs and shoals over which China has territorial disputes with its neighbours. Speaking in Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said China had lodged "stern representations" with the US, and reiterated that the Paracels w...
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