JAKARTA - The Chinese military said Monday that a United States Navy ship illegally entered waters adjacent to Second Thomas Shoal, an atoll in the disputed South China Sea where there have recently been several maritime tensions.
"The US is seriously undermining regional peace and stability," said a spokesman for China's Southern Theater of Operations in a statement, adding that the US was interfering in the South China Sea and violating China's sovereignty, as reported by Reuters, December 4.
A Chinese military spokesman said the warships were being monitored and followed, while "Chinese troops in the theater remain alert at all times to resolutely defend national sovereignty".
Meanwhile, the US Navy said the USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS-10), an Independence Class littoral combat ship, was conducting routine operations in international waters in the South China Sea, in accordance with international law.
"Every day the US 7th Fleet operates in the South China Sea, as they have done for decades," the US Navy said in a statement.
"This operation shows our commitment to upholding a free and open Indo-Pacific region," the statement continued.
China is known to be at odds with several of its neighboring countries regarding claims to vast territorial waters in the South China Sea.
In recent months, China has been involved in several disputes with Philippine ships, as well as protesting against US ships patrolling the disputed area.
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According to the Chinese military, the US warship moved into waters adjacent to an area China calls Renai Reef, also known as Second Thomas Shoal, part of the Spratly Islands.
"We will not be deterred from continuing to work with our allies and partners in support of our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific," the US Navy responded.
It is known that Second Thomas Shoal is located in the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines, according to a UN court decision in 2016.
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