Beijing voiced displeasure on Friday after a US warship sailed near an artificial island in the disputed South China Sea, an operation that prompted the Chinese navy to warm off the American destroyer. The USS John S. McCain destroyer sailed within six nautical miles of Mischief Reef- an artificial island built by China- on Thursday as part of a "freedom of navigation" operation, a US official said. The reef is part of the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, which is the scene of rival claims between China and neighboring countries, including the Philippines, which calls it Panganiban Reef.

Bencito, J. P. (2017, August 12). China protests US warship near reef. Manila Standard, p. A2.