U.S. Navy destroyers Stethem, Spruance and Momsen have been quietly stalking some of China’s man-made islands in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), US naval officials said on Thursday.
Experts say the patrols serves as a show of force ahead of a major international ruling on the legality of some of China’s claims.
Beijing claims nearly all of the South China Sea, setting up conflicts with its neighbors and the U.S.
A spokesman for U.S. Pacific Fleet declined to discuss the patrols and what message they were trying to send with them, citing security concerns.
“We won’t discuss tactics, specific locations in the South China Sea or future operations anywhere in the region due to operational security,” said Lt. Clint Ramsden.
“All of these patrols are conducted in accordance with international law and all are consistent with routine Pacific Fleet presence throughout the western Pacific,” Ramsden added.
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