Posted on 02/17/2021 11:14:48 AM PST by RomanSoldier19
The US Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Russell sailed through the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea on Wednesday, challenging China's demands that foreign military vessels ask for permission before sailing through the area, the Navy said.
The Spratly Islands are contested territories in the South China Sea. China, which claims almost all of the 1.3 million-square-mile waterway, has built up its military presence in this area, constructing fortified outposts on artificial reefs.
The Spratlys are also claimed by Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei, and the Philippines, some of which put restrictions on the operations of foreign military vessels, as China does.
The US Navy characterizes "unlawful and sweeping maritime claims in the South China Sea" as a "serious threat to freedom of the sea."
The latest freedom-of-navigation operation "upheld the rights, freedoms and lawful uses of the sea recognized in international law by challenging unlawful restrictions on innocent passage imposed by China, Vietnam and Taiwan," the Navy's 7th Fleet said in a statement.
(Excerpt) Read more at msn.com ...
BLONDIE!!!
A giant raised middle finger to dictator Xi.
probably had a “for sale” sign on it...
At least they didn’t run into the islands.😏
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