A U.S. missile cruiser on Tuesday entered the waters of the disputed Spratly Islands, which China considers as its territory, without Beijing’s permission, Chinese army spokesman Tian Junli said.

“The actions of the U.S. military seriously violated China’s sovereignty and security,” said Mr Junli.

The disputed Spratly Islands are also known as the Nansha Islands.

The Chinese Navy immediately escorted the U.S. cruiser out of the waters and warned it to leave the area, Mr Tian, who serves in the Southern Theater Command of the People’s Liberation Army, said in a statement on the WeChat social network.

According to Mr Tian, the incident demonstrates that Washington is a real source of security threats in the South China Sea.

He recalled that Beijing had sovereignty over the South China Sea islands and adjacent waters. Therefore, the Chinese forces always maintain a high alert to ensure peace and stability in the region.

Beijing has long been disputing the ownership of several hydrocarbon-rich islands in the South China Sea with several Asia-Pacific countries. 

The territories include the Xisha archipelago, the Spratly Islands, and the island of Huangyan, also known as the Scarborough Shoal. 

Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, and the Philippines have also claimed territories’ ownership.

In July 2016, following a lawsuit filed by the Philippines, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled that China had no grounds for territorial claims in the South China Sea.

According to the court, the disputed territories of the Spratly archipelago are not considered islands and do not form an exclusive economic zone.

Beijing, in turn, replied that it did not consider the court’s decision valid and did not recognise it.

The situation in the sea region is often complicated by the passage of U.S. warships, which, according to Beijing, violate international law and undermine China’s sovereignty and security.

Despite protests from Beijing, Washington has said the U.S. forces would continue to operate wherever international law allowed, including the South China Sea.

(Sputnik/NAN)