China expressed its “strong opposition” on Monday after two US warships sailed near disputed islands in the South China Sea. It is the third time this year that Washington has challenged Beijing’s maritime claims in the region amid escalating rivalry between the two powers.
Guided-missile destroyers USS Preble and USS Chung-Hoon passed within 12 nautical miles of Gaven and Johnson reefs in the Spratly Islands on Monday, Commander Clay Doss, a spokesman for the US Navy’s Seventh Fleet, was quoted as saying by Reuters. The features are also claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan.
