A US warship on Tuesday, May 10, sailed close to the disputed South China Sea reef which China has built up into an artificial island, irking Beijing. Guided-missile destroyer USS William P. Lawrence navigated within 12 nautical miles of the Fiery Cross Reef, which is occupied by China but also claimed by Vietnam, Taiwan and the Philippines. The Pentagon said the US operation “challenged attempts by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam to restrict navigation rights around the features they claim.” It is the third “freedom of navigation” operation by the US in the disputed waters. Beijing confirmed the operation and said the warship illegally entered waters near the islands without the permission of the Chinese government.
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