Amid tensions with China, the US Navy sailed its guided-missile destroyer USS Wayne E. Meyer near two contested islands in the South China Sea Wednesday, reported CNN.
In a statement, US Navy Cdr. Reann Mommsen, a spokesperson for the US 7th Fleet, told the report that the move was part of US’ mission to “challenge excessive maritime claims and preserve access to the waterways as governed by international law.”
The US has been accusing China of installing military facilities on man-made islands at Fiery Cross and Mischief Reef.
On Monday the Pentagon said it “is greatly concerned by China’s continued efforts to violate the rules-based international order throughout the Indo-Pacific.”
The US has increased this week its tariffs on Chinese imports in response to China’s retaliatory tariffs on American goods.
The dispute has been affecting financial markets.
Photo: Wikipedia file
