China said Tuesday that the latest U.S. rejection of Beijing’s claims in the South China Sea unnecessarily provokes tension in the region.
The highly disputed body of water — with its islands, fisheries, energy resources, military bases and trade routes — lies on the southern coast of mainland China and between Taiwan and Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines.
In a rare move, the U.S. Navy sent two aircraft carriers to conduct operations and exercises in the region on July 4, America’s Independence Day. Beijing was already carrying out military exercises in the South China Sea from July 1 to July 5.