China calls US military ship’s move in South China Sea ‘provocation’
The USS McCampbell carried out a ‘freedom of navigation’ operation, sailing within 12 nautical miles of the Paracel Island chain
Washington/Beijing — A US guided-missile destroyer sailed near disputed islands in the South China Sea in what China called a "provocation", as US officials joined talks in Beijing during a truce in a bitter trade war. The USS McCampbell carried out a "freedom of navigation" operation, sailing within 12 nautical miles of the Paracel Island chain, "to challenge excessive maritime claims", Pacific Fleet spokesperson Rachel McMarr said in an e-mailed statement. The operation was not about any one country or to make a political statement, McMarr said. The statement came as trade talks between China and the US were under way in Beijing, the first round of face-to-face discussions since both sides agreed to a 90-day truce in a trade war that has roiled international markets. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said that the conduct of the US ship had violated China's and international law, and China had lodged "stern representations". "We urge the US to immediately cease this ki...
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