U.S. warship crosses South China Sea red line

The U.S. dispatched Tuesday a destroyer within 12 nautical miles (about 22 kilometers) of islands artificially created by China in the South China Sea, taking the row between the two countries over the South China Sea to its worst in history.

A U.S. defense official said, “U.S. Navy destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) sailed within 12 nautical miles of territorial limits China asserts around the islands in the Spratly archipelago.” The ship was accompanied by U.S. Navy P-8A and P-3 surveillance planes, which have been conducting regular surveillance missions in the region. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed strong discontentment urging the U.S. "not to act in imprudent way and not to make trouble out of nothing" in the South China Sea. "We advise the U.S. side to think twice before its action," he warned. Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang also said separately that China has monitored, followed and issued warnings to a U.S. warship that sailed near the islands, adding, the U.S. provocative attempts to infringe on China`s South China Sea sovereignty are sabotaging regional peace and stability. China strongly urges the U.S. side to immediately correct its mistakes. No physical conflict took place this day.

The U.S. has warned repeatedly that it does not recognize the sovereignty of the Chinese interests, and said it would exercise the right of freedom to sail on all international waters. However, this is the first time since China created the man-made islands last year to dispatch a warship. The U.S.’ strategic move has put Korea in a difficult position as it is now pressured to choose between the U.S. and China over conflict on South China Sea.

bonhong@donga.com