In a recent statement, China’s Southern Theater Command revealed its interception and expulsion of the USS Halsey from the Paracel Islands’ territorial waters in the South China Sea on May 10.
The military condemned the U.S. action as a grave violation of China’s sovereignty and security, attributing it to America’s alleged navigation dominance and militarization of the region. Affirming its commitment to national security, China vowed to remain on high alert.
The U.S. Navy, in response, defended the USS Halsey’s actions, asserting its rights to navigation and freedom in the South China Sea, citing compliance with international law. The destroyer departed the area following the operation and continued its course in the region.
This incident unfolds against a backdrop of escalating tensions in the South China Sea. The Philippines, a U.S. ally, is embroiled in a contentious dispute with China over contested waters in the area.
China lays claim to extensive territories in the South China Sea, overlapping with claims from several Southeast Asian nations.
The Permanent Court of Arbitration invalidated China’s territorial claims in 2016, ruling against their legal foundation.
The encounter between China’s military and the USS Halsey underscores the ongoing struggle for control and influence in the strategically vital South China Sea.
