The USS Montgomery recently took part in a joint mission in the South China Sea. Photo: AFP
Reuters: U.S. warships sail in disputed South China Sea amid tensions
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Navy warships, on two occasions in the past few days, have sailed near islands claimed by China in the South China Sea, the U.S. military told Reuters on Thursday, at a time of tension between the world’s two largest economies.
The busy waterway is one of a number of flashpoints in the U.S.-China relationship, which include a trade war, U.S. sanctions, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Earlier this week during high-level talks, China called on the U.S. military to stop flexing its muscles in the South China Sea and adding “new uncertainties” over democratic Taiwan, which is claimed by China as a wayward province.
The U.S. Navy regularly vexes China by conducting what it calls “freedom of navigation” operations by ships close to some of the islands China occupies, asserting freedom of access to international waterways.
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Update #1: US Navy sends littoral combat ships to ‘bolster attack strength in South China Sea’ -- SCMP
Update #2: US Navy Deploys 2 Combat Ships To South China Sea: Show Of Force Or Global Marketing Stunt? -- IBTimes
WNU Editor: The Chinese are issuing a warning .... Beijing tells US to stop 'flexing muscles' in South China Sea as it sends new carrier (CNN).
