Tension in the Pacific: an American destroyer sailed in waters claimed by China



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A destroyer of the US Navy sailed Sunday international waters of the South China Sea (or the South China Sea) claimed by Beijing, as confirmed a US spokesman at the agency Reuters.

According to the Navy spokesman, the destroyer USS Preble, clbad Arleigh Burke, spent less than 12 miles (about 24 kilometers) near Scarborough Bank (also known as Masinloc) that China claims as its own, in what Washington has called "freedom of navigation" operations.

The mission was carried out "to challenge excessive marine claims and preserve access to sea routes in accordance with international law", said Major Clay Doss, spokesman for the seventh fleet.

According to different international agreements and customs,It is generally understood that the waters between the coast of a country and the 12 nautical miles are considered territorial and that no vessel can navigate there without express authorization.. Beyond this limit, other areas generate different rights and obligations, but on the whole they are considered international waters.

When browsing then Within 12 miles of the various islands, islets, reefs and atolls occupied by China, the United States clearly states that they do not recognize sovereignty over them.

In this regard, he indicated that US forces conduct this type of operations worldwide to exercise free navigation in international waters, and that they are "independent of political considerations".

Although the mission of the USS Preble comes at a time of strong tension between the United States and China for the so-called trade war, after last week, strong reciprocal increases in tariffs on strategic goods were announced.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang reacted Monday to the announcement and urged "energetically in the United States to put an end to these provocative actions".

Lu added that the Chinese navy had even warned the USS Preble to leave Scarborough's vicinity. "The United States is trying to disturb the peace and stability of the region by using the issue of the freedom of sea and air navigation", he added.

China claims virtually the entire South China Sea and generally enter into rhetorical conflicts with the United States in this regard. As well Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam maintain claims in the region, and for that reason, they got closer to Washington.

Beijing more is waging an aggressive campaign to build artificial islands and militarize disputed islets, reefs and atolls, which has increased tensions in the region.

With Reuters information

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