A recent naval operation by the US Navy in the South China Sea near the Paracel Islands has sparked controversy and drawn criticism from China, which accused the US of violating its sovereignty and security. The Chinese military described the US move as evidence of navigation hegemony and militarization in the region, vowing to maintain high alert to safeguard national security in response to what they perceived as a provocation.
The US Navy, on the other hand, defended its operation by stating that the destroyer USS Halsey was affirming navigational rights and freedoms in the South China Sea in accordance with international law. Following the completion of its operation near the Paracel Islands, the USS Halsey reportedly continued its presence in the area. This incident adds to the ongoing tensions in the strategically significant South China Sea, where various countries, including the United States, China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei, have overlapping territorial claims.
China's expansive claims in the South China Sea have been a source of contention and conflicts with neighboring countries and international law. Despite a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration invalidating Beijing's claims, China has continued to assert its dominance in the region, leading to disputes and confrontations with other claimant states and the US. The latest naval operation by the US Navy is seen as a demonstration of Washington's commitment to upholding freedom of navigation and challenging what it views as excessive maritime claims that threaten regional stability.
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