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| USS Decatur (Image: Wiki Commons) |
The USS Decatur warship carried out a freedom of navigation patrol exercise in the South China Sea, White House spokesperson Josh Earnest said in a press briefing on Friday.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Earlier, President Barack Obama said the US will continue its presence in the East China and South China seas to the extent allowed by the international law allows.
"I can confirm that last night the USS Decatur conducted a freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, specifically in the vicinity of the Paracel Islands," Earnest told reporters.
China has territorial claims over Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, which are believed to be rich in oil and gas reserves. These claims run counter to those of the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei and Vietnam.
This story first appeared on Sputnik & is reposted here with permission.