China on Friday scolded the United States for sending naval vessels close to disputed islands in the South China Sea where Beijing has built military installations. The United States and its allies periodically send planes and warships through the area to conduct “freedom of navigation” operations, intended as a signal to Beijing of their right under international law to pass through the waters claimed by China. According to the Pentagon, the USS Chancellorsville guided-missile destroyer sailed Monday near the Paracel islands, known as Xisha in Chinese, “to challenge excessive maritime claims and preserve access to the waterways as governed by international law.”

China hits us for sail-by near disputed islands in South China Sea. (2018, December 2). Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. 10.