A US Navy destroyer sailed near islands claimed by China in the South China Sea on Tuesday, three US officials told Reuters, even as President Donald Trump’s administration seeks Chinese cooperation in dealing with North Korea’s nuclear programs. The operation was the latest attempt to counter what Washington sees as Beijing’s efforts to limit freedom of navigation in the strategic waters. But it was not as provocative as previous ones carried out since Trump took office in January.

US warship sails near disputed islands anew. (2017, October 12). Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A17.