Beijing says US warship ‘illegally’ entered China’s territorial waters

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - China on Monday accused the US of “illegally” entering its territorial waters in the disputed South China Sea.

According to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA): “The Chinese military followed and monitored a United States warship that illegally entered the waters near Ren'ai Jiao in China's Nansha Qundao.”

Second Thomas Shoal, also known as Ayungin Shoal, Bai Co May and Ren'ai Jiao, is a submerged reef in the Spratly Islands of the South China Sea.

Senior Colonel Tian Junli, spokesperson for the PLA’s Southern Theater Command, said: “The theater command organized naval forces to follow and monitor the warship.”

“China has indisputable sovereignty over South China Sea islands and their adjacent waters,” Tian said.

He said the PLA troops “are always on high alert to resolutely safeguard China's sovereignty and peace and stability in the South China Sea.”

Meanwhile, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said it detected five PLA aircraft and five PLA Navy vessels around the island nation on Monday.