WASHINGTON – China has reportedly warned the U.S. against sending U.S. Navy aircraft or ships to the South China Sea to contest territorial claims made by Beijing in disputed waters.
The Wall Street Journal had reported late Tuesday that the Pentagon was considering flying surveillance aircraft and sending ships to within 12 nautical miles of coral reefs in the disputed Spratly Islands that have been built up and claimed by the Chinese. The U.S. has said it does not recognize the islands as Chinese territory.
Military officials told the Journal that no final decision had been made. However, on Wednesday, China’s Foreign Ministry responded in unusually strong terms.
“Do you think we would support that move? We are severely concerned about relevant remarks made by the American side. We believe the American side needs to make clarification on that,” said ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying, according to the paper.