China claims US warship "illegally" entered waters near disputed Second Thomas Shoal

The Chinese military said on Monday that a U.S. warship had "illegally" entered waters near Second Thomas Shoal, a disputed atoll in the South China Sea, and called the United States "the biggest threat to peace and stability" in the in the region. This was reported by the South China Morning Post, according to UNN.

The United States has deliberately violated the water space of the South China Sea, seriously violated China's sovereignty and security, seriously undermined regional peace and stability, and seriously violated international law and the basic norms governing international relations,

Details

In a response to the publication on Monday, Megan Green, a public affairs officer at the US Navy's 7th Fleet in Yokosuka, described the US ship's movements as "normal operations" that are "compatible with international law."

These operations demonstrate that we are committed to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region where all nations, large and small, are protected in their sovereignty, can resolve disputes without coercion, and have freedom of navigation and flight in accordance with international laws, rules and regulations,

Addendum

Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, a key transit point for commercial shipping in an area of vast natural resources.

Parties disputing China's claims include the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration said China's claims had no legal basis

To recap

Last month, Beijing and Washington exchanged accusations after China's military said it pushed back a U.S. warship in the in the disputed South China Sea.

The U.S. Navy responded that it was conducting a "routine freedom of navigation operation."