The USS Milius’ actions prompted criticism from China’s military, which said Monday that the destroyer "illegally trespassed into the waters. The 7th Fleet said under international law, "features like Mischief Reef that are submerged at high tide in their naturally formed state are not entitled to a territorial sea." "By engaging in normal operations within 12 nautical miles of Mischief Reef, the United States demonstrated that vessels can lawfully exercise high-seas freedoms in those areas," it added.ĬHINESE MILITARY DRILLS NEAR TAIWAN CONTINUE FOR THIRD DAY WITH LARGEST FORCE YET
Navy 7th Fleet said in a statement Monday. "Unlawful and sweeping maritime claims in the South China Sea pose a serious threat to the freedom of the seas, including the freedoms of navigation and overflight, free trade and unimpeded commerce, and freedom of economic opportunity for South China Sea littoral nations," the U.S. admiral said last year was one of at least three islands China has built and militarized in the area – came as China sent nearly a dozen warships and 70 fighter jets toward Taiwan. The "freedom of navigation operation" carried out by the USS Milius near Mischief Reef – which a U.S. Navy announced Monday that one of its guided-missile destroyers sailed near a Chinese manmade island in the South China Sea, drawing accusations from Beijing that the ship "illegally trespassed" in the area.
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