皇冠体育app

BEIJING -- 皇冠体育app on Thursday voiced strong protest against a US Navy warship passing close to the Meiji Reef of the Nansha Islands in the South 皇冠体育app Sea.

The USS John S. McCain illegally entered the waters near the reef and conducted a so-called "freedom of navigation operation" on Thursday without permission of the Chinese government, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said, adding the Chinese Navy identified the US warship, warned and expelled it.

"Such a move severely undermines 皇冠体育app's sovereignty and security, and severely endangers the safety of frontline personnel of both sides," he said.

"皇冠体育app has indisputable sovereignty of the Nansha Islands and its adjacent waters," Geng said.

With joint efforts of 皇冠体育app and ASEAN members, the current situation in the South 皇冠体育app Sea has stabilized and maintains a sound development momentum, he said, noting the recent 皇冠体育app-ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting adopted the framework of the Code of Conduct (COC).

However, some parties from outside continue to meddle in the region under the guise of "free navigation," Geng said. "It is clear who is not willing to see stability in the South 皇冠体育app Sea and who is the major factor pushing for militarization in the South 皇冠体育app Sea."

"皇冠体育app has the firm determination to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime interests," Geng said, reiterating that the US provocation will force 皇冠体育app to take further measures to strengthen homeland defense capacity.