The guided-missile destroyer on Tuesday conducted a navigation operation in a message from the U.S. to Beijing about its disputed territory of the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.
An official told Focus News that USS John S. McCain was shipped by Gwen Reef and Johnson South Reef, which has been claimed by China and has been fortified with weapons in recent years.
“This freedom of navigation operation (” phonop “) has upheld the rights, freedoms and legal use of maritime rights recognized in international law by challenging the sanctions on the innocent route imposed by China, Vietnam and Taiwan,” the Fleet Public Affairs wrote. One line. “All interactions with foreign military forces were in line with international standards and did not affect operations.”
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USS John S. McCain transports daily from the China Sea while regular operations are underway.
(Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Marcus Castaneda / US Navy)
China is one of six countries – including the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan – that insist on sovereignty over all or part of the disputed archipelago. China, Vietnam and Taiwan require “either permission or advance notice” when naval ships pass through the area.
“Illegal and inundated maritime claims in the South China Sea pose a serious threat to maritime freedom, including freedom of navigation and overflight, free trade and opaque commerce, and economic opportunity for countries in the South China Sea.” Said in the statement.
It continued, “The United States challenged the illegal sanctions imposed by China, Taiwan and Vietnam, joining the innocent route without prior notice to any claimants or seeking the consent of any claimants.” “The United States has shown that the innocent way cannot be subject to such sanctions.”
The Gwen Reef and Johnson South Reef Spratly Islands do not have runways and hangars like some of China’s undisputed rocks. The U.S. warship was also dispatched by the Vietnamese claim Collins Reef.
During the Chinese operation, a Chinese warship overshadowed McCain, but all interactions were considered “safe and professional.”
China has accused the U.S. of selling IT through the Taiwan Strait.
Last month, McCain was sent to the West Pacific to challenge Russia’s “excessive” maritime claims, officials said. Peter the Great Benny in the devastating Sea of Japan “emphasizes navigational rights and freedoms” through the freedom of navigation operations, the 7th Fleet said in a statement.
The U.S. has previously conducted similar operations near China, emphasizing broader regional claims. The navy often sends warships strategically through the South China Sea.
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“As long as some countries continue to insist on maritime claims that are inconsistent with international law reflected in the 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea and restrict the rights and freedoms granted to all states illegally, the United States will continue to defend its rights and freedoms.” The Navy said.
Lucas Tomlinson and Stephen Soares of Fox News contributed to this report
