United States Navy Conducts Navigational Rights Mission in South China Sea with Guided-Missile Destroyer USS Milius

United States Navy Conducts Navigational Rights Mission in South China Sea.

On April 10th, the United States Navy stated that its guided-missile destroyer USS Milius conducted a mission in the South China Sea near the Spratly Islands to assert navigational rights and freedoms.

Chinese fighter jets and warships are currently conducting military exercises around Taiwan, which are taking place approximately 1,300 kilometers (800 miles) away. These drills, which span over three days, involve simulated strikes on the island as well.

On Monday, the Chinese government announced that fighter jets, armed with “live ammunition,” had conducted simulated strikes near Taiwan. Additionally, the ongoing military exercises involve China’s Shandong aircraft carrier.

The U.S. Navy stated that after completing its mission, the USS Milius left the area where excessive claims had been made and continued its operations in the South China Sea. The Navy added that the operation aimed to uphold the lawful use, rights, and freedoms of the sea.

In the previous month, China and the U.S. disagreed over the movement of the USS Milius, with China claiming that the destroyer entered its territorial waters in the South China Sea near the Paracel Islands.

China asserts claims over vast areas of the South China Sea, which overlap with the exclusive economic zones of several countries, including the Philippines