BEIJING — A look at recent developments in the South China Sea, where China is pitted against smaller neighbors in multiple disputes over islands, coral reefs and lagoons in waters crucial for global commerce and rich in fish and potential oil and gas reserves:

CHINA DEFENDS SHIP CONFRONTATION

China’s ambassador to the United States has defended the Chinese navy’s action in a close encounter with a U.S. guided-missile destroyer in the South China Sea, saying America’s warships are “on the offensive” near Chinese territory.

The U.S. Pacific Fleet said a Chinese destroyer came aggressively close to a U.S. Navy ship in the incident late last month, forcing it to maneuver to prevent a collision.

Ambassador Cui Tiankai said on Fox News Sunday that the confrontation took place “on China’s doorstep.”

“It’s not Chinese warships that are going to the coast of California, or to the Gulf of Mexico. It’s so close to the Chinese islands and it’s so close to the Chinese coast. So who is on the offensive? Who is on the defensive? This is very clear,” Cui said.

U.S. Pacific Fleet Spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Tim Gorman said the Chinese warship approached the destroyer Decatur in an “unsafe and unprofessional maneuver” near Gaven Reefs in the South China Sea.

https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2018/10/15/beijing-defends-warship-confrontation-in-the-south-china-sea/