U.S. Navy vessel Wayne E. Meyer sailed within 12 nautical miles of Fiery Cross and Mischief Reefs, islands claimed by China.
On Wednesday and announced by the US military earlier:
- "to challenge excessive maritime claims and preserve access to the waterways as governed by international law,"
China response:
- U.S. vessel had encroached upon Chinese territorial waters
- "United States' so-called 'freedom of navigation' is actually an assertion of maritime hegemony that ignores international law, seriously harms China's sovereignty and security interests, and seriously harms peace and stability in the South China Sea region"
Oh dear.
