Chinese Military Says It Warned US Ship In South China Sea

China’s military says it tracked and warned away a United States warship that had illegally entered waters in the South China Sea.

The US Navy denied China’s claims, stating that the ship was on a routine operation and left the area of its own accord.

In a statement on Thursday, the Southern Theatre Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) said the USS Milius intruded into waters around the disputed Paracel Islands.

Spokesperson for the Southern Theatre Command Tian Junli said; "The PLA organised sea and air forces to track and monitor [the ship] in accordance with the law and warned it to leave.

"The US vessel made an illegal incursion into Chinese territorial waters without permission from the Chinese government, harming peace and stability in the region."

The statement added; “The theatre forces will maintain a high state of alert at all times and take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and security and peace and stability in the South China Sea."