US dismisses China's accusation of alleged interception of warship as "false"

The US Navy has denied on Thursday that a US destroyer was intercepted by the Chinese Armed Forces after allegedly illegally entering the waters of the Xisha Islands in the South China Sea.

The US Seventh Fleet has argued that the ship, the 'USS Milius' was carrying out "routine operations" in the area and "was not expelled", therefore contrary to the Beijing version. "The United States will continue to fly, navigate and operate wherever allowed by International Law," he warned in a statement sent to Europa Press.

This version contrasts with the one offered hours before by the spokesman for the Southern Stage Command, Colonel of the Air Force Tian Junli, who assured that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) had monitored and warned the guided missile destroyer, according to the Chinese state television CGTN.

Junli has assured that this action "seriously undermines" peace and stability in the South China Sea region and that the Army will remain on alert and take all necessary measures to "safeguard national sovereignty, security, peace and security." stability in the region.

Beijing claims as its own more than 80 percent of the waters of the South China Sea, where there are open sovereignty disputes with the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam or Taiwan. Washington does not recognize the sovereign limits set by the Chinese authorities, so it defends its right in terms of navigation.