China accuses US warship of entering waters near Spratly Islands

China on Tuesday accused a US warship of entering waters near the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea without authorization, saying the move jeopardized maritime security and regional stability, Anadolu Agency reported.

The USS Charleston, a US littoral combat ship, entered waters adjacent to Xianbin Jiao, also known as Sabina Shoal, early Tuesday, according to a spokesperson for the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Southern Theater Command. The spokesperson said the area is part of China’s Nansha Qundao, or the Spratly Islands.

Chinese naval forces were dispatched to track and monitor the vessel in accordance with relevant laws and regulations, the spokesperson said.

“China holds indisputable sovereignty over Nansha Qundao and its adjacent waters,” the spokesperson said.

The US operation “infringes upon China’s sovereign rights and interests, jeopardizes maritime security, and is detrimental to regional peace and stability,” the spokesperson added.

Beijing urged Washington to immediately halt such operations, warning that Chinese military forces remained on high alert to defend national sovereignty and security.

The Southern Theater Command would continue safeguarding China’s territorial claims while maintaining regional peace and stability, the spokesperson said.

The Spratly Islands are claimed in whole or in part by China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.