China has warned the United States navy against any violation of its territorial waters, saying that it will take “necessary measures” in reaction to US incursions off the disputed islands in the South China Sea.
Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Colonel Yang Yujun said in a statement released on Thursday “We would urge the US not to continue down the wrong path. But if the US side does continue, we will take all necessary measures according to the need”.
Yang further described as “rock-solid” Beijing’s resolve to protect its national sovereignty and security interests.
The statement was published one day after the guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen sailed within 12 nautical miles of one of the artificial islands in the South China Sea.
In response, China summoned Max Baucus, the US ambassador to Beijing, to protest against the US ship patrol in the vicinity of the Chinese artificial islands and urge Washington to refrain from such actions.
Elsewhere in his comments, the Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman also noted that a pair of Chinese ships had monitored the actions of the US ship and issued warnings.
China claims sovereignty over nearly all of the South China Sea, which is also claimed in part by Taiwan, Brunei, Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines.
