BEIJING, May 10 (Xinhua) -- China on Tuesday expressed "resolute opposition" to a U.S. warship patrol in the South China Sea near Yongshu Jiao in the Nansha Islands.
The U.S. warship, USS William P. Lawrence, illegally entered China's waters near the islands on Tuesday without the permission of the Chinese government, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said, adding that the warship was monitored, tracked and issued with a warning.
It is reported that Bill Urban, the spokesman for U.S. Department of Defense, said the freedom of navigation operation was in direct challenge to "excessive maritime claims of some claimants in the South China Sea."
"The action by the U.S. threatens China's sovereignty and security, endangers the safety of people and facilities on the reef, and harms regional peace and stability," Lu said.
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