South China Sea: US Navy rejects Chinese claims of illegal trespassing near disputed Spratly Islands

The US Navy has rejected claims by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army that an American guided missile cruiser illegally trespassed during an operation near the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea on Tuesday, November 29. The 7th Fleet of the US Navy said in a statement on the incident that: “On November 29, 2022, USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) asserted navigational rights and freedoms in the South China Sea near the Spratly Islands, consistent with international law. At the conclusion of the operation, USS Chancellorsville exited the excessive claim area and continued operations in the South China Sea.” It added: "The PRC’s statement about this mission is false. USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) conducted this FONOP in accordance with international law and then continued on to conduct normal operations in waters where high seas freedoms apply." “The PLA Southern Theater Command’s statement is the latest in a long string of PRC actions to misrepresent lawful U.S. maritime operations and assert its excessive and illegitimate maritime claims at the expense of its Southeast Asian neighbors in the South China Sea,” the statement continued. The Spratly Islands are disputed territory, with several bordering nations, including China, laying whole or partial claim to them.

Credit: Southern Theater of the Chinese People's Liberation Army via Storyful