Two US Navy warships sailed near South China Sea islands claimed by China on Sunday, two US officials told Reuters, in a move that drew condemnation from Beijing as President Donald Trump seeks its continued cooperation on North Korea. The operation was the latest attempt to counter what Washington sees as Beijing’s efforts to limit freedom of navigation in the strategic waters. While this operation had been planned months in advance, and similar operations have become routine, it comes at a particularly sensitive time and just days after the Pentagon uninvited China from a major US-hosted naval drill.

US warships sail near SCS islands claimed by Beijing. (2018, May 28). The Philippine Star, p. 3.